29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.
Before Paul moves on to the practical application of his teaching, he wraps up the defense of his gospel message of grace. Continuing the analogy of Hagar and Sarah, he uses their respective sons to further illustrate the contrast between living under the Law versus freedom through Christ. From the time Ishmael, Hagar’s son “born according to the flesh,” mocked Sarah at the birth of Isaac (Gen 21:9), there was animosity between the two sons and their descendants. Sarah had Ishmael expelled from the clan (Gen 21:10).
This story pictures Paul’s teaching on the Galatian situation. First, Ishmael corresponds to the false teaching infiltrating the church there and those who espouse it. Combining the Law with faith is “according to the flesh.” It appeals to man-centered efforts performed by human ability—which can never bring about justification. On the other hand, the teaching about salvation by grace and those who promote it, are like Isaac, who was born “according to the Spirit.” Here, Paul equates that with his being the son of the promise. God’s covenant with Abraham was passed down through Sarah’s physical descendants, not through Hagar, thus through Isaac, not Ishmael.
Second, even though both sons were Abraham’s, only Isaac inherited the promise and was therefore “born according to the Spirit.” So also, both Law and grace are from God, but only grace is “according to the Spirit.”
Third, Paul inherently applies the words of Sarah to his recommended dealings with the false teachers of Galatia, “Cast them out!” There is to be no co-inheritance. Neither with Isaac and Ishmael, nor with Law and grace.
Fourth, the genuine brotherhood of believers is not among those who espouse Law and grace, but only those who espouse grace alone. We who believe through the grace of our Lord are like children of Sarah, not like children of Hagar. There is no admixture! Law and grace do not, they cannot, mix. The 16th century reformers were right: faith alone through grace alone!
Paul, therefore, concludes his defense of the doctrine of grace alone for both salvation and for Christian living. Grace has a significant impact on how we live—and that is the subject Paul turns to next.
Lord, thank You so much for liberating us from a system of life that only leads to failure. Your grace wonderfully motivates us to live robustly in Your grace.
0 Comments