GalatiansNäide

Paul offers yet another example to clarify the relationship between the law and faith. This time, he draws on the story of the patriarchs—and in doing so, he becomes quite provocative, likely as a deliberate jab at the Judaizers who held the law in such high esteem.

He reminds us that Abraham had two sons: one with the slave woman Hagar, and the other with his wife, Sarah. Hagar represents the human attempt to fulfill God's promise through our own efforts—Abraham tried to “help God along.” Sarah, on the other hand, received her son because of God's promise—through a miracle, without any human intervention.

Paul draws a spiritual interpretation from this: Hagar represents the old covenant, the law—a state of bondage and slavery. Sarah, by contrast, represents the new covenant, which is based on the promise—a state of freedom and grace.

With this interpretation, Paul turns his opponents' expectations upside down: it is not those who cling to the law who belong to the true line of Abraham, but those who trust in God's promise—through faith in Jesus Christ.

For Reflection

Regardless of whether someone is a Jew or a Gentile, everyone needs Jesus. Anyone who trusts in the law cannot save themselves with it.

Where do you find your assurance before God—in your own performance or in what Jesus has done for you?