Scripture Foundation: “For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by a bondwoman and one by a free woman. But the son of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” — Galatians 4:22–26 (ESV)
Introduction
In the letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul presents a powerful allegory using Abraham’s family. He contrasts the bondwoman, Hagar, and her son Ishmael, with the free woman, Sarah, and her son Isaac. This comparison goes beyond family history; it speaks to the very heart of God’s covenant with His people.
The story is not just about Abraham’s household—it is about you and me. It challenges us to examine whether we are living as children of bondage or as children of the promise. The difference between the two determines whether we experience spiritual slavery or the liberty that God has given to all who believe in His Son.
The Story of Hagar and Sarah
Abraham and Sarah received a promise from God: “I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:2). Yet as the years passed, they struggled to believe how this promise would be fulfilled, especially since Sarah was barren.
In their impatience, Sarah suggested that Abraham have a child with her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar (Genesis 16:1–2). Abraham agreed, and Hagar bore Ishmael. But later, when Abraham was one hundred years old and Sarah ninety, God fulfilled His word and gave them Isaac, the child of promise (Genesis 21:1–3).
Two mothers. Two sons. Two different origins. Ishmael was born by human effort, while Isaac was born by divine promise.
The Bondwoman Represents the Covenant of the Law
Paul explains that Hagar represents Mount Sinai, the place where God gave the Law to Israel (Galatians 4:24–25). The Law, though holy and righteous, could not give life. Instead, it revealed sin and placed humanity under its burden.
“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” — Romans 3:20
The children of Hagar represent those who try to reach God by their own strength, by self-effort, and by keeping religious rules. But human effort will always fall short. The result is bondage, frustration, and condemnation.
Ishmael’s birth illustrates what happens when people try to fulfill God’s promises through human means instead of waiting on His timing and trusting His power.
The Free Woman Represents the Covenant of Grace
Sarah, the free woman, represents the covenant of grace that comes through faith in God’s promise. Isaac was born, not because Abraham and Sarah had the ability, but because God intervened.
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” — Hebrews 11:11
Isaac was the child of promise, and his birth was a miracle. This points to the greater miracle of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We are born again, not by works, but by the Spirit of God.
“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” — Galatians 4:26
To be children of Sarah is to live in freedom, because our identity is based on God’s promise, not on our performance.
The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
When Isaac was born, Scripture tells us that Ishmael mocked him (Genesis 21:9). Paul uses this moment to explain the ongoing conflict between the flesh and the Spirit.
“But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.” — Galatians 4:29
This teaches us that there will always be opposition between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit. The flesh seeks to control, while the Spirit leads us into freedom. Believers must make a choice: will we live as slaves under the flesh, or as free heirs under grace?
Cast Out the Bondwoman
Paul concludes the allegory by quoting Genesis 21:10: “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
This may sound harsh, but spiritually it is a call to separate ourselves from the mindset of works and self-dependence. Bondage and freedom cannot coexist. Flesh and Spirit cannot share the same inheritance.
As believers, we must cast out the bondwoman from our lives. That means rejecting self-righteousness, legalism, and every attempt to earn God’s favor through our own effort. Instead, we are called to rest in the finished work of Jesus.
Living as Children of the Free Woman
What does it mean for us today to live as children of Sarah, the free woman?
- Embrace God’s Grace
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
Our identity as children of God is not based on what we do, but on what God has done for us in Christ. - Walk in the Spirit
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” — Galatians 5:18
We must allow the Holy Spirit to guide our daily walk, producing in us love, joy, peace, and self-control. - Reject Bondage
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1
Do not return to the old ways of striving and self-effort. Live in the liberty Christ has given you. - Trust God’s Promise
Just as Sarah conceived because she trusted God’s word, so we must stand on His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
Conclusion
The bondwoman and the free woman present us with a choice. Will we live under the bondage of self-effort and human striving, or will we rest in the freedom of God’s grace through His promise?
As believers, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman. We are heirs of the promise, born of the Spirit, and called to live in liberty.
“So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.” — Galatians 4:31
May we walk daily in the freedom Christ has purchased for us, casting aside every weight of bondage, and rejoicing as true heirs of God through faith.