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Galatians 4:30

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 · King James Version

Meaning

In this verse, Paul is referencing the story of Hagar and Sarah from the book of Genesis. Hagar was the bondwoman, a servant of Sarah, who bore a son named Ishmael. Sarah, on the other hand, was the freewoman, who bore a son named Isaac. Paul uses this story as an allegory to illustrate the difference between the old covenant, represented by the bondwoman and her son, and the new covenant, represented by the freewoman and her son. The bondwoman and her son symbolize the law given on Mount Sinai, which leads to slavery, while the freewoman and her son symbolize the promise of salvation through faith in Christ, which leads to freedom. Therefore, Paul advises to "cast out the bondwoman and her son" in order to embrace the new covenant and inherit the promise of salvation through faith in Christ.

Theological Overview

The theological interpretation of this verse from Galatians focuses on the allegory of the bondwoman Hagar and the freewoman Sarah, representing the Old Covenant and the New Covenant respectively. The scripture is pointing to the necessity of leaving behind the legalistic ways of the Old Covenant in order to fully embrace the freedom and grace found in the New Covenant. By casting out the bondwoman and her son, we are called to reject relying on our own works for salvation and instead trust in the promise of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The contrast between the son of the bondwoman and the son of the freewoman highlights the distinction between living under the law and living by grace. In essence, this verse emphasizes the importance of embracing the freedom and inheritance that come through faith in Christ, rather than trying to earn salvation through our own efforts.

Galatians 4:30 in other translations

American Standard Version

Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.

World English Bible

However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”

Douay-Rheims

But 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 free woman.

Geneva Bible (1599)

But what sayth the Scripture? Put out the seruant and her sonne: for the sonne of the seruant shall not be heire with the sonne of the free woman.