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Galatians 4:21
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19 aMy little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,  
20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Two Covenants

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: athe one by a bondwoman, bthe other by a freewoman.  
23 But he who was of the bondwoman awas born according to the flesh, band he of the freewoman through promise,  
24 which things are symbolic. For these are1 the two covenants: the one from Mount aSinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—  
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
<< Galatians 4:20   Galatians 4:22 >>

What Does Galatians 4:21 Mean?

Paul refers to the births of Ishmael and Isaac, recorded in Genesis 16 and 21, as the law, even though these events occurred long before the Ten Commandments and other laws were given through Moses. This shows that Paul uses "law" to mean the entire Pentateuch or Torah, the first five books of the Bible, not merely the Commandments. In Galatians 4:24, he specifically mentions the Old and New Covenants. Paul essentially asks whether his readers understand the instruction contained in this episode from Genesis, comprehending what is in the law and how it applies to a New Covenant Christian.




Galatians 4:21

He is essentially asking, "Do you understand the instruction contained in the following episode drawn from Genesis?" Alternatively, "Do you comprehend what is in the law and its application to a New Covenant Christian?"

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part One): Introduction



Galatians 4:21-23

The births of Ishmael and Isaac are recorded in Genesis 16 and 21. Though this happened long before the Ten Commandments and the other laws were given through Moses, Paul refers to this portion of Scripture as the law! Obviously, Paul uses "law" to mean the entire Pentateuch or Torah (the first five books of the Bible), not just the Commandments. In Galatians 4:24, he specifically mentions the Old and New Covenants.

Earl L. Henn
What Was the Law 'Added Because of Transgressions'?




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Galatians 4:21:

Genesis 3:15
2 Kings 4:8-37


 
<< Galatians 4:20   Galatians 4:22 >>

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