Galatians 4:21-5:12

Example of Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, e one by a slave woman and f one by a free woman. 23 But g the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while h the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two i covenants. j One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; 1 she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But k the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

27 For it is written,
l "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband."

28 Now you, 2 brothers, m like Isaac, n are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh o persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, p so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? q "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." 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but r of the free woman.

Galatians 5

Christ Has Set Us Free

1 For s freedom Christ has t set us free; u stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to v a yoke of w slavery.

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that x if you accept circumcision, y Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that z he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are a severed from Christ, b you who would be justified 3 by the law; c you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly d wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus e neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but f only faith working through love.

7 g You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying h the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from i him who calls you. 9 j A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 k I have confidence in the Lord that you will l take no other view than mine, and m the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, 4 still preach 5 circumcision, n why am I still being persecuted? In that case o the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish p those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

  1. Cross References
    Genesis 16:5
    And Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 21:2
    And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.
  3. Cross References
    Galatians 4:29
    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.
    Romans 9:7
    And not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.
  4. Cross References
    Galatians 4:28
    Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of ...
    Genesis 17:16 - 19
    I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you...
    Genesis 18:10
    The Lord said, "I will surely return to you abo...
    Genesis 18:14
    Is anything too hard for the Lord ? At the appo...
    Genesis 21:1 - 2
    The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the ...
    Hebrews 11:11
    By faith Sarah herself received power to concei...
  5. Cross References
    Romans 9:4
    They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
  6. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 33:2
    He said, "The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.
  7. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:22
    But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.
    Revelation 3:12
    The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
    Revelation 21:2
    And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
    Revelation 21:10
    And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
  8. Cross References
    Isaiah 54:1
    Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the Lord.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 54:1
    Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the Lord.
  10. Cross References
    Galatians 4:23
    But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 9:8
    This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
    Galatians 3:29
    And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 21:9
    But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.
  13. Cross References
    Galatians 5:11
    But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
  14. Cross References
    Genesis 21:10
    So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.
    John 8:35
    The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 21:10
    So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.
  16. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:6
    As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
  17. Cross References
    Galatians 5:13
    For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
    Galatians 2:4
    Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in - who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery -
    James 1:25
    But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
  18. Cross References
    John 8:32
    And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 15:10
    Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
  21. Cross References
    Galatians 2:4
    Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in - who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery -
  22. Cross References
    Galatians 5:3
    I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
    Galatians 5:11
    But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
    Acts 15:1
    But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
    1 Corinthians 7:18
    Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
  23. Cross References
    Galatians 4:11
    I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 2:25
    For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 7:6
    But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
  26. Cross References
    Galatians 2:21
    I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
    Galatians 3:10
    For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.
    Romans 9:31 - 32
    But that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
  27. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:15
    See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
    2 Peter 3:17
    You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
  28. Cross References
    Romans 8:23
    And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
    Romans 8:25
    But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
  29. Cross References
    Galatians 6:15
    For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
    1 Corinthians 7:19
    For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
    Colossians 3:11
    Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
    Galatians 3:28
    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
  30. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:23
    Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 1:3
    Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
    James 2:18
    But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
    James 2:20
    Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
    James 2:22
    You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.
  31. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:24
    Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
  32. Cross References
    Galatians 2:5
    To them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
  33. Cross References
    Galatians 1:6
    I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -
  34. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:6
    Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
    1 Corinthians 15:33
    Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals.
    Hebrews 12:15
    See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
  35. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:3
    And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
  36. Cross References
    Philippians 3:15
    Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
  37. Cross References
    Galatians 1:7
    Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
    Galatians 5:12
    I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
  38. Cross References
    Galatians 4:29
    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 6:12
    It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
  39. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:23
    But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.
    1 Peter 2:8
    And "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
  40. Cross References
    Galatians 5:10
    I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
    Galatians 2:4
    Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in - who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery -
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.