Galatians 4:25 – “Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul continues his allegory about Hagar and Sarah to explain two different ways of relating to God. He has already established that Hagar represents the old covenant of the law, while Sarah represents the new covenant of grace. Now, he makes an even stronger point:

• Hagar (the slave woman) represents Mount Sinai – This is where God gave the law to Moses. The law itself was good, but it placed people under a heavy burden. It showed them their sin, but it could not save them (Romans 3:20).
• Hagar also represents “the present city of Jerusalem” – This is a shocking statement. Paul is saying that those who rely on Jewish religious laws for salvation are actually in slavery, just like Hagar and her descendants. The physical city of Jerusalem at that time was the center of Jewish religious life, focused on temple sacrifices and obedience to the law.

Paul’s message is clear: depending on religious works to be right with God is slavery. The Galatians were being tempted to follow Jewish customs in addition to faith in Jesus, but Paul is warning them that doing so would put them in spiritual bondage instead of the freedom Christ offers.

Historical Context

The Jewish people in Paul’s day viewed Jerusalem as the heart of their faith. The Temple was there, the priests served there, and religious life revolved around it. For Jews, Jerusalem symbolized God’s covenant with Israel, where the law of Moses was upheld.

However, Paul says that this Jerusalem is in slavery. Why? Because the Jewish leaders were rejecting Jesus and holding onto the law as the way to be right with God. The very thing that was meant to lead them to Christ (the law) had now become a system of bondage.

Paul is speaking specifically to the Galatians, who were being pressured to follow Jewish religious laws. He wants them to understand that if they go back to the law, they are choosing slavery rather than the freedom of the gospel.

Theological Implications

This verse carries a strong message:

1. Religious works cannot save anyone. The old covenant (law) required perfect obedience, but no one could fully keep it (James 2:10). The law exposes sin, but it cannot remove sin—only Jesus can do that (Romans 8:3).
2. Legalism leads to spiritual slavery. Trying to earn God’s approval by following religious rules puts people in bondage. It creates fear, guilt, and exhaustion, instead of the joy and peace that comes from trusting in Christ alone (Galatians 5:1).
3. True freedom comes from faith, not religious rituals. The Galatians had started out in faith, but now they were being tempted to add works to their salvation. Paul is reminding them that doing so means returning to slavery, not freedom.

Literary Analysis

Paul is using symbolism in this verse. He connects three things to make a powerful spiritual point:

• Hagar (a slave woman) → Mount Sinai (the law) → Earthly Jerusalem (bondage to religion)

This is a radical argument because it turns the Jewish perspective upside down. The Jewish people saw the law and Jerusalem as signs of God’s favor, but Paul is saying that without Jesus, they represent spiritual slavery.

By using Hagar, Paul is also showing that those who depend on the law are not the true heirs of Abraham. Even though Ishmael was Abraham’s physical son, he was not the child of promise—Isaac was. In the same way, just being physically Jewish or following Jewish laws does not make someone a true child of God. Only faith in Christ does.

Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 10:3-4 – Paul explains that Israel tried to establish their own righteousness through the law, but Christ is the fulfillment of the law.
• John 8:34-36 – Jesus says that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but He has come to set them free.
• Colossians 2:16-17 – Paul warns against letting religious rules take the place of Christ.
• Hebrews 12:18-24 – A comparison between Mount Sinai (the law) and Mount Zion (the new covenant in Christ).
• Galatians 5:1 – Paul urges believers to stand firm in their freedom and not go back to the slavery of the law.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Paul’s warning is still relevant today. Many people still fall into the trap of legalism, thinking that their good works, religious traditions, or church attendance make them right with God. But Paul makes it clear: salvation is through Jesus alone, not religious performance.

• Do you feel pressure to “earn” God’s love? Many Christians struggle with guilt, feeling like they must do more to be accepted by God. But the gospel says that Jesus has already done the work—we simply receive it by faith.
• Are you living in freedom or in fear? If your faith feels like a burden, you may be relying on your own effort instead of resting in God’s grace. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
• Are you holding onto religious rules instead of a relationship with Jesus? Rituals and traditions can be good, but they should never replace the grace of Christ as the foundation of our faith.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in His desire to set people free from spiritual slavery. The law was never meant to be a permanent burden—it was meant to lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

God’s love is also seen in the way He offers a better covenant. He does not demand perfection from us because He knows we cannot achieve it. Instead, He offers us grace through Jesus, allowing us to be His children by faith (Romans 8:15).

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus came to fulfill the law and bring freedom.

• He lived a perfect life, obeying the law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17).
• He took the punishment for our sin, setting us free from the penalty of the law (Galatians 3:13).
• He established a new covenant, where people are made right with God through faith, not works (Luke 22:20).

Paul’s message is clear: staying under the law means rejecting the freedom Jesus offers. We must choose—will we live as slaves to religious rules or as free children of God?

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Do you ever feel like your relationship with God is based on rules and performance rather than faith and grace?
2. Why do you think people are often tempted to add religious works to their salvation?
3. How does understanding the difference between law and grace change the way you see your faith?
4. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to earn God’s approval instead of simply trusting in Jesus?
5. How can you remind yourself daily to live in the freedom of the gospel rather than falling into legalism?