Galatians 4:26

KJV

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Jerusalem {G2419} which is above {G507} is {G2076} free {G1658}, which {G3748} is {G2076} the mother {G3384} of us {G2257} all {G3956}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the Yerushalayim above is free, and she is our mother;

Berean Standard Bible

But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

American Standard Version

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 4:26 presents a pivotal theological contrast within Paul's allegorical argument, distinguishing between the earthly Jerusalem, bound by the Mosaic Law, and the heavenly Jerusalem, which represents the new covenant of grace and freedom in Christ. This "Jerusalem which is above" is depicted as the spiritual mother of all true believers, signifying their spiritual birth into liberty and their shared identity as children of God's promise, rather than slaves to legalistic ordinances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 4:26 is the climax of Paul's intricate allegory introduced in [Galatians 4:21-25](/galatians/4-21-25 "Galatians 4:21-25 - Hagar and Sarah Allegory"). In this passage, Paul uses the historical figures of Abraham's two sons, Ishmael (born of Hagar, the bondwoman) and Isaac (born of Sarah, the freewoman), to illustrate the fundamental difference between the Old Covenant (Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). Hagar and her son represent the covenant of Mount Sinai, which brings forth children into bondage, and is explicitly equated with "the present Jerusalem" ([Galatians 4:25](/galatians/4-25 "Galatians 4:25 - Hagar and Mount Sinai")). In direct opposition, Galatians 4:26 introduces "Jerusalem which is above" as the spiritual counterpart, representing the covenant of promise and freedom, from which all true believers derive their spiritual lineage. This allegorical framework serves to dismantle the Judaizers' insistence on circumcision and adherence to the Law for salvation, emphatically arguing for salvation by grace through faith alone.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Galatian churches, primarily composed of Gentile converts, were being heavily influenced by Judaizers—Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. This teaching directly contradicted Paul's gospel of salvation by grace through faith. The concept of "Jerusalem" held immense significance for Jews, representing their national and religious identity, the center of their worship, and the seat of the Law. By contrasting the "present Jerusalem" (earthly, under the Law) with the "Jerusalem which is above" (heavenly, free), Paul cleverly redefines the true spiritual heritage of God's people. He challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding of identity rooted in physical descent and legal adherence, asserting that true spiritual lineage is found in Christ and the heavenly reality He inaugurated. This was a radical reinterpretation for a Jewish audience and a liberating truth for Gentiles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout Paul's letter to the Galatians. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Freedom vs. Bondage**, distinguishing between the slavery of the Law and the liberty found in Christ. Paul consistently argues that Christ has set believers free from the curse and demands of the Law, as highlighted in [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Fast in Liberty"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Covenant Theology**, contrasting the Old Covenant of Law (represented by Hagar and earthly Jerusalem) with the New Covenant of Grace (represented by Sarah and heavenly Jerusalem). This distinction is vital for understanding the nature of salvation. Thirdly, the verse speaks to **Spiritual Identity and Lineage**, asserting that believers' true "mother" and spiritual origin are not from an earthly system but from a heavenly reality. This means that all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are "children of the promise," as elaborated in [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise"), and thus share a common spiritual heritage in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jerusalem (Greek, _Hierousalḗm'_):** This term refers to the capital city of Palestine, but in this context, Paul uses it allegorically. While "the present Jerusalem" ([Galatians 4:25](/galatians/4-25 "Galatians 4:25 - Hagar and Mount Sinai")) signifies the earthly city and the system of the Mosaic Law that leads to bondage, "Jerusalem which is above" transcends the physical, pointing to a spiritual reality. It represents the community of God's people under the New Covenant of grace.
* **above (Greek, _ánō'_):** This adverb literally means "upward" or "on the top." Its inclusion is crucial as it immediately distinguishes this Jerusalem from its earthly counterpart. It signifies a heavenly, spiritual, and transcendent origin and nature, emphasizing that this "Jerusalem" is not bound by earthly limitations or legalistic systems but is a divine, eschatological reality.
* **free (Greek, _eleútheros'_):** Derived from a root meaning "unrestrained," this word describes one who is not a slave, whether freeborn or manumitted, or exempt from obligation. In Galatians 4:26, "free" is the defining characteristic of the heavenly Jerusalem. It underscores the core message of the epistle: salvation through faith in Christ liberates believers from the bondage of the Law, its condemnation, and its demands, granting them true spiritual liberty.
* **mother (Greek, _mḗtēr'_):** This word denotes a "mother" literally or figuratively. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe the heavenly Jerusalem as the source of spiritual birth and identity for all believers. Just as a mother gives birth and provides lineage, this heavenly reality is the origin of the spiritual family of God, encompassing all who are "children of the promise" by faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Jerusalem which is above is free,"**: This clause introduces the direct contrast to the earthly Jerusalem mentioned in the preceding verse. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé'_) highlights this antithesis. "Jerusalem which is above" refers not to a physical city but to a spiritual, heavenly reality—the new covenant community of God's people. This heavenly Jerusalem is characterized by "freedom" (G1658, _eleútheros'_), signifying liberation from the Mosaic Law's demands and condemnation, a core theme of Paul's argument for salvation by grace through faith.
* **"which is the mother of us all."**: This second clause further clarifies the nature and significance of the "Jerusalem which is above." The relative pronoun "which" (G3748, _hóstis'_) connects it directly to the heavenly Jerusalem. By calling it "the mother of us all" (G3384, _mḗtēr'_), Paul asserts that all true believers, both Jew and Gentile, derive their spiritual birth and identity from this spiritual reality of grace and promise. It establishes a new, inclusive family of God, united not by physical descent or legalistic adherence, but by common spiritual lineage through faith in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's use of **Allegory** is the overarching literary device in this passage, as he explicitly states in [Galatians 4:24](/galatians/4-24 "Galatians 4:24 - An Allegory of Two Covenants"). Galatians 4:26 functions as the climactic interpretive key to this allegory, revealing the spiritual truths behind the historical narrative of Hagar and Sarah. The verse employs powerful **Contrast** by setting "Jerusalem which is above" against "the present Jerusalem" (Galatians 4:25), symbolizing the stark difference between the New Covenant of grace and the Old Covenant of Law. This contrast is fundamental to Paul's argument for Christian liberty. Furthermore, Paul uses **Personification** when he describes the heavenly Jerusalem as a "mother," endowing an abstract spiritual reality with the characteristics of a nurturing parent. This **Symbolism** of the mother figure powerfully conveys the idea of spiritual birth, lineage, and the source of identity for all believers, transcending physical or ethnic boundaries and grounding their spiritual heritage in the freedom of Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 4:26 is profoundly significant for understanding the nature of the church and the believer's identity. It teaches that our ultimate spiritual citizenship and origin are not earthly but heavenly, rooted in the New Covenant of grace. This heavenly Jerusalem represents the true people of God, free from the bondage of sin and the Law, united by faith in Christ. It shifts the focus from a physical, ethnic, or legalistic inheritance to a spiritual, inclusive, and grace-based one. This understanding liberates believers from striving to earn God's favor through works and instead grounds their security and identity in His unmerited promise.

* [Hebrews 12:22](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - You Have Come to Mount Zion") - "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,"
* [Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem") - "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
* [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven") - "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 4:26 calls us to a profound reorientation of our identity and allegiance. If "Jerusalem which is above" is our mother, then our primary citizenship and spiritual heritage are heavenly, not earthly. This truth liberates us from the pressure to conform to worldly systems, legalistic traditions, or cultural expectations that would bind us. It reminds us that our freedom in Christ is not merely freedom *from* something (the Law's curse) but freedom *for* something: to live as children of promise, empowered by grace, and motivated by love. This perspective encourages us to live with an eternal mindset, prioritizing spiritual realities over temporal concerns, and to walk in the liberty Christ has secured, serving Him out of gratitude rather than obligation. It also fosters unity among believers, reminding us that our spiritual family transcends all earthly divisions, as we all share the same heavenly mother.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I still be living as if under the bondage of the Law, rather than in the freedom of the heavenly Jerusalem?**
* **How does understanding my spiritual identity as a child of "Jerusalem which is above" impact my daily priorities and decision-making?**
* **What practical steps can I take to more fully embrace and live out the freedom and grace that are my inheritance in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What is the "Jerusalem which is above" and how does it differ from the earthly Jerusalem?**

Answer: The "Jerusalem which is above" is not a physical city but a spiritual, heavenly reality that Paul uses allegorically. It represents the New Covenant of grace and promise, the spiritual community of all true believers who are born of the Spirit and are free from the Law's bondage. This stands in stark contrast to the "present Jerusalem" mentioned in [Galatians 4:25](/galatians/4-25 "Galatians 4:25 - Hagar and Mount Sinai"), which symbolizes the earthly city, the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law, and the system that leads to spiritual slavery. While the earthly Jerusalem was bound by the Law and its demands, the heavenly Jerusalem is characterized by freedom and grace.

**How can "Jerusalem" be a "mother"?**

Answer: Paul uses the metaphor of "mother" to convey the idea of spiritual origin and lineage. Just as a mother gives birth and establishes identity for her children, the "Jerusalem which is above" is the spiritual source from which all true believers derive their new birth and their identity as children of God's promise. It signifies that our spiritual family and heritage are not based on physical descent or adherence to the Law, but on being born into the freedom and grace of the New Covenant. This concept emphasizes the inclusive nature of God's family, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ, as children of the promise, not of the flesh or the Law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 4:26 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the very embodiment and foundation of the "Jerusalem which is above." This heavenly Jerusalem, characterized by freedom and grace, is established through Christ's redemptive work. He is the one who secured our liberty from the curse of the Law, as [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law") declares, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Our spiritual birth into this "Jerusalem which is above" is made possible by His sacrifice and resurrection, which inaugurated the New Covenant, a covenant "better" than the old, as described in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A More Excellent Ministry"). Furthermore, Christ is the Head of this spiritual community, His body, the Church, which is the earthly manifestation of the heavenly Jerusalem ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ the Head of the Church")). As believers, we are citizens of this heavenly city, with our citizenship in heaven ([Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")), looking forward to the day when the New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, descends from God out of heaven ([Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem")). Thus, the freedom and spiritual lineage described in Galatians 4:26 are entirely dependent on and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 12:22

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Micah 4:1

¶ But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Micah 4:2

And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Revelation 3:12

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Psalms 87:3

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.