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Expanded Comments | Additional Comments |
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| 1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all: |
The heir – In view of the gradual development of the "joint-heirs" during their minority, but who are to become one by virtue of their union with "the heir," how appropriate this illustration. R489:4*
A child – Infant under laws. R976:1, 1735:1
The Law prepared Israel for Christ. R282:3
The reason why a Jew could not have any privileges as a child of God was because they were under tutors, etc. Q228:2
The relationship to God as sons, was little, if at all understood, prior to the advent of Jesus Christ in the flesh. R50:3*
Differeth nothing – Jesus differed in many essential respects from those whom he came to redeem. R489:1*
A servant – As children are under nursery laws and subject to teachers until an appointed time, so were we Jews under the Law, and treated as servants rather than sons. R973:2, 1728:4
So long as Christ was a member of the house of servants he was under the Law. Q228:2
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| 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. |
Under tutors and governors – Subject to teachers. R1728:4
"Thou shalt" and "Thou shalt not." R1729:2
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| 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: |
Even so we – Israelites. R1728:4
When we were children – Under the law. R90:2
Minor children under fixed laws, and not under grace. R1028:6
Speaking of the Church while under the shadows of the Jewish age. R488:6*
Bondage – Under restraints. R1728:4
Treated as servants. R1728:4
Of sin and death. R5641:1
Elements – Rudiments. R489:1*
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| 4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law covenant, |
Fullness of the time – God's appointed times and seasons are an important part of his plan; it has an exactness to a day. B25; R4344:2, 598:3
Our God is a God of order. Christ was born on time. R598:4; B25
The fact that this was 4000 years after sin entered should show us the fixity of the divine purpose, and that every feature of the divine plan will be carried out. NS137:3, 750:6; R1005:2, 3989:2
"In due time" (Rom. 5:6) when God sent forth his so should taste death for every man." (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:9) E451; B25; R5166:3, 685:5, 598:4, 283:4
This should give us great confidence in the certainty of the development of the Lord's plans at the proper time. R3989:2
Was come – The moment for love to act finally came. E451; R685:5
God sent forth his Son – God sent his only-begotten Son. R598:4, 944:4*; B25
Made of a woman – "The Word was made flesh." (John 1:14) R3476:4; E105
If Jesus came into the world just as "we all" have, there would be no force to this language and no occasion for using it. R444:5*
Made under the law – Not under the Ten Commandments merely, but under the Law Covenant. R5088:3, 4262:2, 1730:3; E417
Subordinate to the Law. R5836:6
For a purpose, not of necessity, but of grace. R488:6*
If Jesus had not been born under the Law his sacrifice would not have applied to the Jews. R4426:4
It was only because he was perfect and kept the Law that he was able in God's due time to present his body a living sacrifice as a substitute for Adam. R5836:6
Our Lord was under the Hagar Covenant up to the time when he was thirty years of age. R5088:3
He persisted in keeping the Law during the time of his ministry, and at the same time sacrificed those rights which were his because of keeping the Law perfectly until death. R5089:1
Jesus died to the Law Covenant, but not to the Law, at the time that he made his consecration. He was not relieved from his responsibility to the Law according to the flesh, but as a new creature he gave up all hope, all anticipation, as respects the Law Covenant. R5089:4
The Law had dominion over him as long as he lived. In his flesh he was a perfect human being, under the Law. As a new creature he undertook to do more than merely keep the Law. R5089:2,4
From the divine standpoint our Lord kept the Law as a new creature; from the human standpoint he kept it as an earthly creature. R5089:6
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| 5 that he might redeem them that were under the law covenant, that we might receive the placement as sons. |
To redeem – Greek: exagorazo; publicly purchase and take possession of. E430
"Buy off." See Diaglott interlineary. R488:6*
That he might also redeem. R1984:3
When redeeming the remainder of mankind, God's plan was so arranged that the same sacrifice by which all the race of Adam was redeemed by Christ, affected also the one specially favored nation. E417; R1984:3; NS361:4
Them – Israelites. R1728:4
Were under the law – The Law Covenant. E417, E430
The "curse of the Law" put the Hebrews at a disadvantage as a doubly condemned people, hence it was necessary that our Lord should be born a Jew. NS361:3
Condemned under the Law. R1984:3, 4262:2
The Law served to give Israel an idea of the need of having the penalty paid for them, and then having the Law rewritten in their hearts. R587:4
So far as other peoples were concerned, he might have been of any other nation and redeemed Adam and the remainder of the world. R4451:6
Had Jesus been born outside of the Jewish nation the redemption of the world in general would have been the same as now, but the Jewish nation would not have shared it. R4262:2, 1730:3
That we – Liberated Israelites. R1728:4, 973:2
Might receive – Afterward. R488:6*
What was impossible until the race was redeemed. E177
Adoption of sons – The spirit of adoption now, and full adoption at the establishment of the Kingdom. E109
None except this class are begotten of the holy Spirit. R5134:2, 1227:2; E177
Primarily the inheritance of Israel, but due to an insufficient number, "God did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name." (Acts 15:14) E177
The purchase of the Jewish people from under the dominion of the Law and the liberation of believers that they might become sons of God. E430
More than a righteous life is required of those who would be sons of God. R5134:2
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| 6 And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. |
And because ye – And so also, because ye. R973:3, 1728:4
Ye Gentiles who were not under the Law. R1728:4, 973:2
Are sons – Because you have believed on Christ alone for salvation and have consecrated yourselves to him and therefore been adopted into God's family. R1658:1
Reckonedly owned as spiritual sons of God. T40; R1697:1
As well as we Israelites. R1728:4, 973:3
Spirit of his Son – The witness of the holy Spirit with their spirits is to the effect that they are the recognized sons of God. R1658:1
The seal of your adoption as sons. R1658:1 4:7
No more a servant – A member of the house of servants. B246
They came into this grace without the works of the Law. R1658:1
We were sons under tutelage and you were aliens, foreigners, and strangers. R1728:4, 973:2
But a son – A member of the house of sons. B246
Restored to the original standing, as in Adam before sin. R1561:1
An heir – The evidence of sonship is to enter into the blessed rest of faith. R1658:4
Now you and we are accepted of God in Christ, are fully received into sonship and heirship, and neither of us are subject to the Law. R1728:4, 973:3
An heir of God's favor. R1561:1
Through Christ – We are "all one in Christ Jesus." R1658:1
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| 7 So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. |
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| 8 Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: |
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| 9 but now that ye have come to know God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? |
Known of God – Have been recognized of God as sons. R974:4
How turn ye again – How can you turn again. R974:4
In Christ alone is full salvation. R1658:1
Weak – The immaturity of the joint-heirship and plan in its unfoldings during the age of shadows. R489:1*
Beggarly elements – Rudiments of the world. The Law is but the rudimentary part of God's redeeming scheme. R489:1*, 974:4
Inferior rudiments intended for the world in the next age and which now are powerless to help you. R974:4
The same word as translated "elements" in 2 Pet. 3:10, 11. R409:6, 26:4
Whereunto – Why do you desire to be in bondage again? R974:4
In bondage – Israel was not coming up to the liberty of sons of God, but going backward to the servant condition. R974:6
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| 10 Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. |
Ye observe days – A sign of weakness, childishness and lack of development. R1734:5, 5556:2, 974:6; HG583:6
Indicating that you do not realize your liberty from that old Covenant. R974:4, 5556:2, 1734:5
By a false conception some believe the first day is the Sabbath, and that the ordinances respecting the Jewish Sabbath day were transferred to Sunday. R2119:3
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| 11 I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. |
I am afraid of you – I am anxious on your behalf. R1734:5, 5556:2, 974:6
Addressing those who had once known the liberty of sons of God, but who were now going back into bondage through false teaching. R5556:2, 1734:5
Paul had reason to fear that the Galatian Christians had not yet come to the condition of established character. R3250:6
That the Christ life was not definitely formed in them, for already they were giving heed to seducing teachers. R3250:6
Paul was fearful that subservience to the Law might lead them to reject the true gospel. R974:6, 5556:2, 1734:6
Speaking of the tendency to go back to the Law. R974:4
Labour in vain – Lest my teaching become useless to you. R974:4
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| 12 I beseech you, brethren, become as I am, for I also am become as ye are. Ye did me no wrong: |
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| 13 but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time: |
Through infirmity – Being at the time in a semi-invalid condition. R3009:1
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| 14 and that which was a trial to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. |
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| 15 Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. |
The blessedness ye spake of – When Paul first met the Galatians they showed their love and sympathy for him. R2118:4, 1540:5
Given them to me – Their willingness to do for him the most useful thing. R1540:5
An expression which would be meaningless unless Paul's eyes were defective. R2118:4
Paul's eyes were never restored to their former strength. R2825:1; F651
We can fancy the sympathy which St. Paul's affliction called forth among the loving brethren. R4356:5
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| 16 So then am I become your enemy, by telling you a truth? |
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| 17 They zealously seek you in no good way; no, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them. |
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| 18 But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you. |
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| 19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you |
My little children – Spiritual "babes." D575
Of whom I travail – Because of whom I travail. D575
Paul describes his interest in the gospel work as that of a mother travailing with child. D575
The first stages of gestation, travailing in painful and laborious effort until the new being is formed. R1273:3
There is labor and anxiety all the way to those whose care over the Church, like Paul's, is akin to that of motherhood. R1273:6
The Apostle was writing with tears in his pen. R4510:6
Spiritual child-bearing after the apostolic example is most honorable service. D575
Christ – A Christlike character, as a result of the begetting power of the truth and of the precious promises, inspiring love, faith, obedience and zeal. R1274:1, 3250:5
The new nature. R237:2*
Be formed in you – That the principles so notable in Christ's character are established in them. R1274:4
The spirit of truth manifested in the Church is Christ's representative. R160:2*, 237:2*
As illustrated in the natural begetting, quickening and birth, so also in the spiritual; after the new creature is formed, if there be a quickening to spiritual activity, and if there be no mishap, no miscarriage, there will in due time be the birth of a glorious spirit being. R1273:6, 3250:3
Although they had been begotten by the Word of truth, the new germ of spiritual being had not yet progressed to the definite formation of Christian character which manifests its existence and life in activity. R1274:1
If Christ be formed in us, the established principles of Christian character will hold us firm and steady in the midst of temptations and error. R1274:5
The true child of God must have a definite individual Christian character which is not dependent for its existence upon the spiritual life of any other Christian. R3250:5
The language of the heart will be, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." See Psa. 57:7,9, 119:111; Jer. 15:16. R1274:5
"Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27) R3250:3, 1273:3
In due time the new creature is born into full perfection and glory of the divine nature. R1274:2
If Christ be not formed in you, then your hope is vain, no matter how much truth or how many advantages you may possess. R1273:3
Let us see that we do not hinder the development of Christian character by giving our time, our vitality, our means, etc., to the pursuit of things of this world. R1274:4
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| 20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you. |
To change my voice – My tone or manner of expression. R1273:3
To one of sternness. R4510:5
Instead of the joyful tone--the tone of reproof, warning and exhortation. R1274:1
Because their vacillating course since receiving the truth proved that the spirit of Christ was not yet formed in them. R1273:3
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| 21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? |
Under the law – Under the Law Covenant. R4510:6
Do ye not hear the law? – Do you not understand what the Law is? R1728:4, 973:3
Do ye not realize its bondage, its impossible exactions. R4510:6, 1728:4
If the Jew cannot get life in keeping the Law, it would be foolish for Gentiles to think they could secure divine favor and everlasting life by keeping that Law. R5027:4
The Law is a special condemnation to the Jew, and if Gentiles were to get under the same condemnation as the Jew they would be getting into a double condemnation. Q137:3
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| 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. |
Abraham – Type of Jehovah. A85; R1389:1, 161:2; Q164:2; SM201:3; PT362:1*
Represented the Heavenly Father. NS287:1; F361
Becomes here a figure of God. R1728:4, 1064:4*, 973:3
Two sons – These two covenants are beautifully portrayed by the Apostle Paul in Gal. 4:21-31. PT360:2*
The Jewish and Gospel dispensations are double in every particular. HG52:2
The one – At Sarah's wish, Hagar became for a time her representative with Abraham, and brought forth Ishmael. SM201:3
Literally Abraham's firstborn, typified the first development under the Covenant. SM201:3
By a bondmaid – Hagar, type of the Law Covenant. F170; R2778:2, 161:2
The second wife of Abraham. Q164:2
Although only a typical arrangement, the Law covenant developed a faithful class, to be princes in all the earth in the Millennium. R5909:2; Q196:1
The other – Isaac. SM202:2
By a freewoman – Sarah, type of the Abrahamic covenant or promise. A85; R2778:2, 1389:1, 283:4; SM201:2
The wife of Abraham represented God's Covenant. Q164:2
A figure of the real covenant of blessing. R1728:5, 973:3
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| 23 Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through the promise. |
Of the bondwoman – Representing the bondage of the Sinaitic or Law Covenant. PT361:T*
Ishmael, type of natural Israel. F170; R5909:2, 4496:6, 4371:5, 283:4; Q196:1
Hagar's son typified the Jewish nation, or fleshly Israel. SM201:3, 202:T; R4496:6, 793:2, 283:4, 201:2
A bond-servant and not the married wife. R4309:3
After the flesh – Without any necessity for divine intervention. PT360:2*
Of the freewoman – Sarah typified the original Covenant made with Abraham. R4528:5, 4371:5, 4309:3, 283:4; F361; PD23/34; SM201:2
Isaac, type of The Christ. F170; R5909:2, 4496:6, 4371:6, 283:5; Q196:1
Isaac typified Messiah, the heir of the promise. PD23/34; SM201:2
A type of the Gospel Covenant. R161:2
By promise – God's special overruling providence was required to work a miracle. PT360:2*
They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Rom. 9:8) R90:4, 99:5*
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| 24 Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar. |
An allegory – A type. R283:4, 1389:1
A figure or picture that God gave. Q165:T; R1389:1; NS292:6
A picture only on general principles--every feature is not mentioned. R57:2*
A word-picture representing great truths applicable to the Lord's people during this Gospel age. HG380:2; A85; R2777:5
Illustrating freedom in Christ. R90:4
Thus Abraham was a type of God, and Isaac a type of Messiah. Isaac's wife, Rebecca, typified the Church, the elect Little Flock. R5178:1
The Sarah Covenant represents the divine promise in its entirety as a grace or faith covenant. R4436:3
The larger part of the Old Testament had a typical and allegorical significance. PT361:T*
These – Two women. NS287:1
Two covenants – The first Covenant simply represents what the second is in reality. HG52:3
Which gendereth – Bearing children--fleshly Israel. NS287:1
Bondage – A Covenant of bondage, saying, You must do this, or You must not do that. R4450:1*
This Covenant was represented by Hagar, and her son Ishmael represented the nation of Israel. R5178:2, 4390:4; Q196:1
Agar – Hagar. R4497:1; NS287:1
The servant of Sarah and treated as her representative. R1728:5, 973:3
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| 25 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. |
This Agar – Hagar typified the Law Covenant, covenant of the flesh. R5088:3; SM201:3; PD23/34
Bearing fleshly children. NS287:1; R4371:5
Is – Signifies. R90:5
Mount Sinai – The rocky, barren mountain where the Law covenant was given. R1389:4, 4371:5
To Jerusalem – The capital city of Israel which was continually besieged and in captivity. R1389:4
With her children – Under the Law Covenant. F361
Hagar's son was born first and represents how the Jewish people were the first that came into the inheritance under God's favor. Q164:2; R4371:5
It required nearly seventeen centuries for the development of fleshly Israel, under the Law Covenant. R4497:1
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| 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. |
But Jerusalem – Spiritual Zion. C297; NS723:3
The heavenly Jerusalem will not be built until the first resurrection, symbolized by Sarah, our Covenant under which we become new creatures in Christ--the Church is developed under the same Covenant as Christ. Q361:9, 362:3; R5246:1
The heavenly Jerusalem typified by Sarah. R4530:4*
A figure of speech in which a city is referred to as the mother of its inhabitants. R5246:1[R5246]; Q361:9, 362:3
The city (government) of which Christ is the Head; of which Jerusalem the literal was but an imperfect type. R1389:4
The Kingdom soon to come into power to bless the world. R1389:4, 5246:4; Q362:1,4
Which is above – Symbolized by Sarah. C29[C297]; R4439:3, 1389:4, 161:2
The exalted Jerusalem. R1389:4
Is free – Spiritual Israel was never in bondage. R4390:4
Is the – We look forward and by faith speak of the promised condition and of our citizenship there. Q362:T
Whose offspring and heirs through Christ we already are. R1389:4
Mother of us all – Sarah, the mother of the promised seed, Isaac, typical of Christ Jesus the Head and the Church his Body. R4439:3, 4530:4*, 4371:5, 4011:1, 1341:6, 161:2; Q362:1
The original Abrahamic covenant, typified by Sarah. R2630:1, 4368:4, 4528:5; NS723:3
Mother of the spiritual seed, begotten directly by the Father, typed by Abraham. R4528:5; NS723:3
The saints of God. The Church is developed under the same Covenant-Mother as was Christ. His was a Covenant of sacrifice. Q362:3, 361:9, R5246:1
"There shall come out of Zion the deliverer." (Rom. 11:26) R1971:4
When the Covenant that was typified in Sarah has finished its travailing, and has brought forth the Isaac class, then the people of Israel, the Ishmael seed, will be regathered for their blessing. (Micah 5:3) R4450:2*
The Law Covenant was never intended to take the place of the original Covenant. R4366:3
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27 For it is written,Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not;
Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not:
For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband. |
It is written – In Isaiah 54:1. R1389:1, 3596:3, 1341:6; C297; NS287:6
Rejoice thou barren – The Abrahamic Covenant, typified by Sarah. F361; C297; R4516:2, 3596:5
As Sarah was barren, so the primary, or chief, Covenant of God was barren for a long time, until Jesus came. R5178:2, 4440:2, 4309:3, 1728:5, 1389:1, 973:3, 283:4
God's Covenant was barren for nearly two thousand years and only began to bring forth the seed of promise in our Lord's resurrection from the dead. F361; R3916:2
The prophecy began to be fulfilled in the manifestation of Jesus at the first advent. NS287:5
Hath an husband – The wife who has borne her husband children. PT366:T*
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| 28 Now ye, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of the promise covenant. |
Now we, brethren – The Apostle's argument based on the allegory. R1728:5, 973:3
We take the place of Isaac. Q181:3; PT363:2*
The seed. R22:5*, 99:5*
The sufferings of Christ were only part of the sufferings of the antitype of Isaac. R5180:4
The Christ was produced after the same manner as Isaac, by God's overruling power. R4530:4*
As Isaac was – A type of Christ, Jesus the Head, and the Church his Body. R4454:1, 4440:2, 4341:1, 4334:6, 3513:5; A85; HG389:4; NS293:1, 530:3; Q164:2, 181:3; SM530:1, 201:3
The birth of Isaac represented the begetting by the holy Spirit of the entire Church. R4682:5
As Abraham was the father of the natural Isaac, so God is the father of the spiritual Isaac, Christ, Head and Body. R905:2
Christ, our Head, and we, his members, are the antitype of him who was called "laughter" or "joyous"--applicable now and in the future Kingdom. R2861:5, 3952:6
Represents a class that will make the whole world to laugh. PT363:2*
All who have the faith of Abraham will understand that the blessing can come only through Isaac. R2857:2
Are the children – Sarah had but one child, Isaac, who typified The Christ, Head and Body. R4497:2, 5909:2, 5178:2; F361; NS287:1; Q196:1
The antitypical son of Sarah has already been more than eighteen centuries in process of development. R4497:1
Heirs of the promise--through whom all families of the earth are to be blessed. SM45:1; R2778:2, 1387:2; Q164:2, 181:3
In a totally different sense than were the Jews under the Law. F361
Of promise – The original covenant. R4528:5, 4476:5
The oath-bound covenant. R3880:1, 5300:5, 4367:4
The faith covenant. R4341:1, 201:2
The Abrahamic Covenant embraces all the other Covenants, those Covenants being merely different features of God's arrangements by which the great work implied in the great promise is to be accomplished. R5909:5, 4334:6; Q164:2, 196:4
As Isaac was the heir of Abraham and child of promise, by Sarah, so we, like Isaac, are children of God, of the Sarah Covenant. E105; C297; R4436:3, 1387:2, 777:4; NS287:1, 306:2
Sarah typified the Covenant through which the vitality of the promise ultimately develops the seed of promise. SM201:3; R4476:5
Begotten of God in the womb of the Abrahamic Covenant. E105; R777:4
The seed of Abraham mentioned in the promise will not be complete until the full close of this Gospel age. SM530:1; HG389:4; NS530:3
We are not children of the bondwoman, the Law Covenant, but of the Covenant of Grace, born free from the slavery and conditions of the Law. R1728:5, 973:3
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:29) ; HG429:3; 442:5; R4528:5, 4309:3, 4011:1; NS723:3
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| 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so also is it now. |
After the flesh – Ishmael, type of the Jew under the Law Covenant. F361; R4309:3, 1553:5
After the spirit – By promise, Isaac, type of The Christ. F361; R4530:3*
Even so it is now – In respect to Isaac's antitype, the Church, whose members are spirit-begotten, heavenly-minded beings. R4530:3*
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| 30 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. |
Cast out – Typified the divine disfavor which came upon the Jews eighteen centuries ago; outcasts from divine favor. SM202:3; R5503:3, 4505:4, 4309:3, 3916:2; PD23/34
Cast off from divine favor, as represented by our Master's words, "Your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23:38) R4309:3
As Hagar and her son were outcast for a time only, so the Law Covenant and the Jews have been cut off from divine favor only for a time. R5503:3
If Hagar had died at that time, in type the Law Covenant would have ceased to exist. But Hagar continued to live, and so the Law Covenant continued, and still has power over every Jew as long as he liveth. R4505:4
The Law Covenant did not cease when Jesus died, and has not yet ceased. R4505:4
As Hagar and her son almost perished for lack of food and drink, so natural Israel in its cast-off condition almost perished for lack of spiritual nourishment and refreshment. NS288:4
In the dire extremity of natural Israel's cast-off condition the Lord will graciously point to the true water of life and bring natural Israel back into relationship with himself. NS288:4
To show that the Law Covenant was not to have any rule over the spiritual sons of God, Hagar was not allowed to become the governess of Isaac, but in his interest was dismissed. R1728:5, 973:3
And her son – The child of Abraham according to the flesh. Q164:2
When Isaac was born, Sarah repudiated Ishmael and no longer acknowledged him as her son, but, instead, claimed everything for Isaac. SM202:2
In antitype, when God began the development of spiritual Israel, it was clearly manifest that the chief portion of the promise was to be fulfilled through the Isaac seed. SM202:2
For the son – Ishmael, type of the Jew under the Law. F361; R5503:3; 4505:5, 3916:2; NS288:2
Of the bondwoman – Hagar, type of the Law Covenant. F361; R4505:5, 3916:2, 1389:2; Q164:2
Shall not be heir – Shall not be the true seed. T33
Had our Lord remained under the Law Covenant, he would not have become the heir. At Jordan he passed from his position under the Law Covenant; and became the spiritual seed of Abraham. R5090:1
With the son – Isaac, type of The Christ. F361
The new creature. R5090:1
Of the freewoman – Sarah, type of the Abrahamic Covenant, the Grace Covenant, the Covenant of sacrifice. F361; A85; R5909:2, 4516:2; Q164:2, 196:1
A child inherited blessings and privileges of its father, according to the favor and standing of its mother. E105; R777:5
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| 31 Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. |
We – Nor Christ. R196:6
Of the bondwoman – The Law Covenant. R2778:2
But of the free – The Abrahamic covenant, typified by Sarah. R2778:2, 1386:3
We are born free from the slavery and conditions of the Law. R973:3, 1728:5
"Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and not be entangled with the yoke of bondage." (Gal. 5:1) R90:5, 2778:2, 1728:5, 973:4; HG52:3
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