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Mature believers and the Torah: Meaning of ‘Sarah’ and ‘Hagar’ in Galatians 4

Galatians 4, with its discussion of freedom from being “under [the] law” and not of the Jerusalem related to the flesh, is often cited by those who argue that observing the Torah is a backward step for believers in Messiah Yeshua. However, considering what Paul already wrote in chapters 1 through 3 and the parallel discussion in Romans 5–7, his point in this chapter is that both Jews and non-Jews are in the same situation without God’s method of salvation, which isn’t God’s Law. Yet God’s goal for humanity long-term is heart-led obedience to His Law.

Mature believers and the Torah: Meaning of 'Sarah' and 'Hagar' in Galatians 4. 'Jerusalem above is free' vs. 'Present Jerusalem ... is in slavery.'

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The Torah is the back story of all the New Testament. And if we assume that the Law of Moses was Plan A for the people of God and the gospel was Plan B, we will interpret what Paul wrote about the Torah in Galatians incorrectly. God doesn’t throw curveballs to strike us out but to help teach us how to hit a home run.

Galatians 4 notesDownload

Thought questions from the discussion on Galatians 4

What are the common interpretations of this chapter that have confused you or confounded you?

Did God free the people from Egyptian slavery just to put them into bondage at Sinai?

What is slavery — sin or God’s law?

What is the purpose of the law?

What is the difference in motives between a slave and a son?

Is the Torah only for “immature” believers?

What is “under the law”?

How do we come out from “under the law”?

How do people end up back “under the law”?

Reader: Dave.

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