A study of Paul’s instructions to the Body of Christ to put off the bondage of the law
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. Galatians 4:30
When Paul says to “cast out the bondwoman and her son,” he expresses the importance of not being ensnared again in the bondage of the law. To fully understand the meaning of Paul’s allegory, we must look at the historical event to which he refers and the situation that existed in the churches of Galatia.
The Trouble in Galatia
Paul wasted no time in identifying the problem that existed in the churches of Galatia:
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7
The gospel preached in Galatia was not another gospel, in that it did not deny the necessity of faith in Christ: it was, however, a perversion of the true gospel of Christ because it added something to faith in Christ. In chapter 2, Paul refers to a meeting with Peter, the other apostles, and elders of Israel. The reason for this meeting is recorded in Acts 15 and reveals exactly how the gospel of Christ was being perverted.
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. . . . But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. Acts 15:1-2,5
The teachers of the law in Judea were adding circumcision and obedience to the Law of Moses to the simple message of faith in Christ. They used circumcision as a test of whether or not a person was truly saved.
To refute this teaching that had corrupted the understanding of the Galatians, Paul began by affirming his authority as the Apostle of the Gentiles.
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12
After meeting with Paul in Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders agreed that Paul’s gospel was to be preached in the Age of Grace and circumcision had no place in that message. Paul gives his account of their agreement in Galatians 2:
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Galatians 2:6-9
In the book of Galatians, Paul expanded his discussion of circumcision to include the law in general.
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Galatians 5:3
In fact, he expanded beyond the bounds of the Mosaic law to discuss all works of the flesh.
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3
Paul’s conclusion about circumcision is applicable to all the commandments of the law and to any work of the flesh.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:2-4
This conclusion is similar to Paul’s instructions to the church at Colossi:
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Colossians 2:14-17
Sadly, the perversion that was so evident in Paul’s day still persists in the Body of Christ. Today it may not take the form of circumcision; but many would judge a person’s salvation by their actions, such as obedience to the Ten Commandments, and leaving behind the vices and sins of the flesh. These admonitions repeat the perversion of the gospel that caused problems in Galatia.
Because the perversion of Galatia is still prevalent today, it is important to understand the allegory that Paul uses to combat it in his epistle to the Galatians.
In combating legalism, Paul went beyond just circumcision and the law. Appropriately, he cites an event that occurred before the law was even given.
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Galatians4:21-24, 28
Paul refers to the birth of Abraham’s two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. These two men, their mothers, and the circumstances of their conception and birth demonstrate the distinction between law and grace.
The Free Woman and Her Son
God’s initial promise to Abraham indicated that Abraham would be the father of a great nation.
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Genesis 12:2
As Abraham and Sarah remained childless, Abraham questioned whether God intended the promised nation to come through his physical seed. God reaffirmed His promise and made clear the nation would be built through Abraham’s physical descendants.
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. Genesis 15:1-4
This promise is repeated to Abraham in Genesis 17.
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Genesis 17:19
In Genesis 21 we read the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah.
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. Genesis 21:1-3
The birth of Isaac was not supernatural as was the birth of Christ. Isaac was produced through a natural, physical relationship between Abraham and Sarah. However, God had miraculously healed the barren and aged womb of Sarah.
This is the account of grace that tells of God giving Abraham and Sarah a son. The birth of Isaac was not the result of the fleshly efforts of Abraham and Sarah. Isaac was the result of a supernatural act of God fulfilling a specific promise made to Abraham.
The Bond Woman and Her Son
Interwoven in Scripture with the above account of God’s grace is man’s unsuccessful attempt to impose his efforts into God’s plan.
As Abraham and Sarah grew weary waiting on God to fulfill His promise, Sarah came up with a plan to “help” God’s program along.
Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. Genesis 16:1-3, 15
In marked contrast to Isaac, Ishmael was the result of Abraham’s own fleshly efforts, Ishmael was not a son of God’s promise, but of Abraham’s flesh.
Note Abraham’s response when God told him the promise would be passed to Sarah’s son and not Hagar’s:
And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! Genesis 17:15-18
The bible presents Abraham as a man of great faith; but, in this instance, his faith gave way to his desire to see the work of his flesh accepted by God. Abraham’s plea represents the cry of anyone who has ever supposed that their good works can gain them acceptance before God.
The disastrous results of relying on the flesh can be seen in God’s granting of Abraham’s request concerning Ishmael.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. Genesis 17:20-21
Although God’s covenant was confirmed with Isaac, God promised that he would also make Ishmael a great nation. The descendants of Ishmael are the Arab nations of the middle East. These nations are in constant conflict with Israel, the descendants of Isaac. Countless millions of people have died and the world stands constantly on the brink of war because of Abraham’s sin of producing a son of his own flesh, and his desire to see that son exalted in the earth.
This is the account of the law that tells of Abraham producing a son as an act of his flesh. The birth of Ishmael was not the result of God’s grace, but was the fleshly effort of Abraham and Sarah. Ishmael was the result of Abraham’s desire to have his efforts accepted by God.
Cast Out the Bond Woman
As Paul closes out his allegory in Galatians 4, he points out that the son of the bond woman, the law, will always persecute the son of the free woman, grace.
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4:29
The account in Genesis indicates that both Hagar and Ishmael had a desire to reject and persecute what god accomplished through Sarah and Isaac.
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. Genesis 16:4-5
No doubt, Hagar believed that carrying Abraham’s child gave her the right to be his wife and serve as the mistress of the house
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Genesis 21:8-9
Ishmael mocked Isaac because, as the eldest son of Abraham, he believed that it was his place to be Abraham’s heir. Ishmael probably lamented that such a fuss was being made over the newly weaned Isaac, since he was already serving as a young man in his father’s house.
The only remedy for this situation, then and now, is to get rid of the bond woman and her son, the law, and go forward in God’s grace as sons of the free woman.
Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. Genesis 21:10
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? 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
Paul implores the Galatians, who were beset by the legalistic perversion of grace, to solve their problem by casting out the law. The Galatians were to cast out the commandments and requirements of Moses and reject any system that taught that the flesh could please God and perform works that He accepts. In fact, Paul informed the Galatians that the only way to make their flesh acceptable was to kill it.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Once the flesh is crucified, the law has no more hold on us. We can stand in the glorious liberty of Jesus Christ.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
Freedom!!!
The subtle perversion of judging our standing before God based on the actions of our flesh will lead only to defeat and discouragement in our Christian walk. To be truly free, enjoy our salvation, and rest completely in who we are in Christ, we must follow Paul’s admonition to the Galatians and remove the law from our lives. We must follow the lead of that great man of faith, Abraham, and “cast out the bond woman and her son”!