Galatians 4:30 – “But what does Scripture say? ‘Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is quoting Genesis 21:10, where Sarah told Abraham to send away Hagar and Ishmael because Isaac was the true heir of God’s promise. Paul uses this moment to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth:

• Hagar and Ishmael represent trying to be right with God through religious works and human effort.
• Sarah and Isaac represent being right with God through faith in His promise.

Paul is making a strong point: The two systems—law and grace—cannot exist together. One must be rejected. Just as Ishmael could not share in Isaac’s inheritance, those who try to earn salvation through following religious rules cannot inherit God’s promises.

Paul’s message is clear: Believers in Christ must reject legalism and fully embrace God’s grace. Trying to mix grace with religious works is like trying to have both Ishmael and Isaac as heirs—it doesn’t work.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter to the Galatian Christians, who were being pressured by Judaizers—false teachers who insisted that faith in Jesus was not enough. They taught that Gentiles must follow Jewish laws, such as circumcision, to truly be part of God’s people.

Paul was deeply concerned because the Galatians were being tempted to go back to the law instead of standing firm in the freedom they had in Christ. By quoting Genesis 21:10, Paul reminds them that just as Ishmael had to be sent away, so too must they completely reject the idea that salvation comes through human effort.

Paul isn’t saying that the Jewish law was bad. But he is making it clear that it has been fulfilled in Christ. Holding onto the law as a means of salvation is like keeping Ishmael in the house when God has already established Isaac as the true heir.

Theological Implications

This verse has some major theological truths:

1. Salvation is by grace alone. Just as Isaac was chosen by God before he was even born, believers are saved because of God’s promise, not their own efforts (Romans 9:8).
2. Legalism and grace cannot coexist. You can’t mix the two. Just as Hagar and Ishmael were sent away, believers must fully embrace grace and reject the idea of earning salvation.
3. God’s promise determines who belongs to Him. Ishmael was Abraham’s son by birth, but Isaac was the true heir because of God’s promise. In the same way, only those who trust in Jesus are part of God’s true family (Galatians 3:29).

Literary Analysis

Paul is using a historical event as an allegory to make a deeper spiritual point.

• Hagar (the slave woman) and Ishmael (her son) symbolize the old covenant of the law—trying to be right with God through human effort.
• Sarah (the free woman) and Isaac (her son) symbolize the new covenant of grace—being right with God through His promise.

The phrase “Get rid of the slave woman and her son” is dramatic, but it shows how serious Paul is about rejecting legalism. The old system of the law cannot be mixed with the gospel of grace.

Paul also uses the word “inheritance”, emphasizing that only those who trust in Christ inherit the promises of God. Just as Ishmael could not inherit Abraham’s blessing, those who rely on the law cannot inherit eternal life.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 21:10 – Sarah tells Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away because Isaac is the heir.
• John 1:12-13 – Those who believe in Jesus are given the right to become children of God—not by human effort, but by God’s will.
• Romans 8:15-17 – We are not slaves, but children of God and heirs with Christ.
• Galatians 3:10-11 – Those who rely on the law are under a curse because no one can keep it perfectly.
• Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Paul’s message is still very relevant today. Many people still try to earn their way to God through religious performance, thinking that being a good person, following religious traditions, or obeying church rules will make them right with God.

But Paul’s warning is clear: You cannot mix grace with works. If you are in Christ, you must fully embrace salvation through faith alone.

• Are you trusting in Jesus alone, or are you adding something to the gospel? Some people believe in Jesus plus good deeds, plus religious rituals. But Paul says we must reject legalism completely.
• Do you struggle with guilt, feeling like you have to “measure up” to be accepted by God? This verse reminds us that we are not slaves—we are free in Christ.
• Are you willing to let go of religious rules and trust in God’s grace? Just as Ishmael had to leave so that Isaac could inherit the blessing, you must fully trust in God’s promise and reject trying to earn His favor.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He does not require us to earn our way into His family. Instead, He calls us to simply believe in His promise.

• God loves us too much to let us stay in slavery to religious rules. Just as He called for Ishmael to leave so that Isaac could be the heir, He calls us to leave behind the idea of earning salvation and fully trust in Christ.
• God’s love is shown in His faithfulness. He kept His promise to Sarah and Abraham, and He will keep His promise to us—salvation comes by grace alone.
• God’s love brings true freedom. He does not want us living under fear, guilt, or pressure to “measure up.” Instead, He welcomes us into His family as beloved children (Romans 8:15).

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

• Jesus is the true heir of God’s kingdom. Just as Isaac was the heir of Abraham’s blessing, Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant (Galatians 3:16).
• Through Jesus, we become heirs of God’s kingdom. Just as Isaac inherited the blessing, believers inherit eternal life through Christ (Romans 8:17).
• Jesus sets us free from religious rules. Just as Ishmael had to leave so that Isaac could take his rightful place, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross removed the burden of the law so that we could live in freedom (Galatians 5:1).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Are you fully trusting in God’s grace, or do you feel like you need to earn His approval?
2. Why do you think legalism (trying to earn salvation through rules) is so tempting for people?
3. What does it mean to fully embrace God’s promise instead of religious effort?
4. Have you ever experienced pressure to follow religious rules instead of living in God’s grace? How did you respond?
5. How can you encourage others to live in the freedom of Christ instead of religious legalism?