Galatians

My point is this: as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, even though he owns everything.

He is dependent on those who care for him and are responsible for his affairs until the time designated by his father arrives.

Similarly, as children, we were first exposed to the forces that create and shape the world.

But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son. He came born of a woman and subject to the law,

in order to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children of God.

And because you are children, God has sent into your hearts the spirit of his Son, who cries out: Abba, Father!

So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child, also an heir through God.

Before knowing God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods.

But now that you know God—or rather, he knows you—how can you turn back to weak and impoverished created things? Do you want to be enslaved again?

You are observing days, months, seasons, and years.

I am afraid I may have wasted my time with you.

Paul and the Galatians

I earnestly ask you, beloved, to follow my example, just as I have become like you. You have not wronged me in anything.

Remember that it was an illness that initially allowed me to share the gospel with you.

Although my illness was a challenge for you, you did not scorn or turn away from me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

Where is this joy? I can testify that you would have even gouged out your eyes to give them to me.

But now, have I become your enemy for telling you the truth?

They show interest in you, but not in a good way; they seek to draw you away from me so that you may show interest in them.

I wish you were always surrounded by sincere care, not just when I am with you!

My children! I am still in pain until Christ is formed in you.

I long to be there with you right now and to find the right way to speak to you.

Hagar and Sarah

Tell me, you who want to submit yourselves to the law, did you listen to it?

It says that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by his wife, who was free.

The son of the slave woman was born in the usual way, but the son of the free woman was born as a fulfillment of God’s promise.

Here, we see an allegory and symbols of two covenants. The first is the one from Mount Sinai, represented by Hagar: her children are destined for slavery.

We know that Hagar came from Mount Sinai in Arabia: she represents the current city of Jerusalem, which is in slavery along with her children.

But the Jerusalem above, who is our mother, is free.

For it is written:

Rejoice, barren woman

without children;

break into shouts of joy,

you who do not know

the pains of childbirth,

for many will be the children

of the forsaken mother,

more than of the married woman.

You, dearly beloved, are children of the promise, like Isaac.

But just as at that time, the child born according to the flesh persecuted Isaac, who was born according to the spirit, so it is now.

But what does the scripture say?

Cast out the slave woman and her son,

for the son of the slave cannot share

in the inheritance

with the son of the free woman.

Therefore, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman, but of the free woman.