Galatians 4:21-31

In this section of Paul’s letter, he uses a nuanced argument from the Old Testament. He uses the story of Hagar/Sarah and Ishmael/Isaac allegorically or in a typological way to help us understand the difference between a covenant of works compared to a covenant of Grace. Paul ultimately wants his friends and us today to understand that there is a HUGE difference between people who try to do things by their own power and strength compared to people who rely on God’s power to accomplish great and wonderful things. God’s children, children of the promise, cannot save themselves and fully realize that it is by God’s strength that they are saved and brought into his family. Legalism always leads to slavery while children of the promise are born into freedom.