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"Nevertheless what does the Scripture say?"

Text: Galatians 4:30a

CITING THE SCRIPTURES AGAIN

The apostle never wearied of citing the Scriptures. His mastery of the Scriptures was truly second to none. He brought the use of the Sarah-Hagar imagery to a close with the following text.

Nevertheless what does the Scripture say?
‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son,
for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir
with the son of the freewoman.’
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman
but of the free.

Galatians 4:30-31

1. “What does the Scripture say?”

a) The Scripture was regarded as holy writ.

b) It was cited as authoritative.

2. “Cast out the bondwoman and her son”

a) These were the words spoken by Sarah to Abraham (Genesis 21:10).

b) Historically this was a painful period for Abraham.

c) But deep and profound theology may be found in these words.

3. “For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman”

a) This forms the second half of the statement Sarah made.

b) She would not allow Ishmael to become an heir with Isaac.

c) The word “freewoman” was not found in Genesis 21:10.

d) This was added by Paul for greater understanding.

4. “So then, brethren”

a) Paul continues to have an affectionate regard for the Galatians.

b) They were still “brethren”.

5. “We are not children of the bondwoman but of the free”

a) To be under the law would mean being “children of the bondwoman”.

b) To be under the grace of Christ would mean that we are “children of the freewoman”.

c) The adoption as sons of God should never be taken for granted.

d) It should be prized and valued greatly.

e) All false teachings ought to be refuted and then fully rejected.