Paragraph 4:24–27

In this paragraph, Paul explained why he introduced the contrast between Abraham’s two sons. He wanted the Galatians to understand the contrast between two covenants. One covenant is the covenant of law. This covenant results in slavery. God gave the covenant of law at Mount Sinai. The other covenant is the covenant of grace. This covenant results in freedom. God gave the covenant of grace to Abraham and completed it in Christ. Paul had introduced the contrast between the two covenants in 3:17.

4:24a

A few English versions, such as the English Standard Version, introduce this verse with the conjunction “now” in order to show that Paul is providing background information to explain how his example of Abraham applies to what he has been saying about faith and the law. The Greek does not have a conjunction, and most English versions do not have one. In some languages, a conjunction may not be needed here either.

These things serve as illustrations: This clause means that the things that Paul said in 4:21–23 can be interpreted/explained in another way. In Greek this phrase is more literally “these things are allegorized.” The word “allegorized” comes from the noun “allegory.” An allegory is a story in which the characters represent something with a deeper meaning. An allegory is like a parable.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

This story teaches something else: (New Century Version)
-or-
All of this has another meaning as well. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
These events have a deeper meaning
-or-
I will explain this story as a parable

4:24b

for: In Greek, 4:24b begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for. This conjunction introduces an explanation of 4:24a. Many English translations do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

the women represent two covenants: In Paul’s allegory, Hagar and Sarah represent two covenants. The word covenants is the same word that Paul used in 3:17c. A covenant is a strong, binding agreement between two groups or two people. God established covenants or agreements with people. One covenant was the promise that God made to Abraham. The other covenant was the law that God gave to Moses.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

these women represent/show two treaties/contracts
-or-
Each of the two women stands for one of the agreements God made with his people. (Contemporary English Version)

The word “covenant” first occurs in 3:15b. See also covenant in the Glossary for more information.

4:24c

One covenant is from Mount Sinai: This is the covenant of the law. God gave the law to Moses on a mountain called Mount Sinai.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

One covenant comes from Mount Sinai
-or-
One agreement is ?the law? ?that God gave? on Mount Sinai
-or-
One treaty/contract is ?the law? given ?to Moses? at Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai: The phrase Mount Sinai refers to a mountain whose name is Sinai. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the mountain of Sinai
-or-
the mountain called Sinai

bears children into slavery: This clause is a figure of speech called personification. In this personification, the covenant of the law is spoken of as if it were a woman who bears children. The children whom this woman bears are slaves.

In this figure of speech, the word children refers to those who follow and obey the law. The covenant of the law results in slavery to the law.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the personification. For example:

and bears children who are to be slaves (New International Version)

• Translate the meaning without the personification. For example:

and those who follow the law are slaves to that law.
-or-
and the people who are under this agreement are like slaves (New Century Version)

4:24d

This is Hagar: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as This is Hagar can mean:

(a) This covenant is Hagar, or

(b) This woman is Hagar

Both are correct. Hagar represents the covenant of the law. She is the slave woman referred to in 4:23a.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

This covenant is Hagar.
-or-
This woman is Hagar.
-or-

?The slave woman named? Hagar represents that covenant.
-or-
The mother named Hagar is like that agreement. (New Century Version)

General Comment on 4:24a–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 4:24. For example:

a All of this has another meaning as well. b Each of the two women stands for one of the agreements God made with his people. d Hagar, the slave woman, c stands for the agreement that was made at Mount Sinai. Everyone born into her family is a slave. (Contemporary English Version)

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