(21-31) The next eleven verses contain an elaborate argument from the history of the two sons of Abraham, as types of the two covenants, in further proof that freedom is the essential character of the Christian dispensation.
We have seen that St. Paul applies the history of the natural Israel allegorically to the spiritual Israel; and not only does he do this with reference to the history of the formed theocracy, but he goes back to its origin in the time of the patriarchs, and traces there the first beginnings of the separation between the Law and the promise. The same history had been already allegorically treated by Philo. The treatment of it by St. Paul is, however, quite different, and in keeping with the line of argument followed in the context.
The points of parallelism, which are drawn out in much detail, may be exhibited thus: —
Jewish Church.
Christian Church.
The bondwoman, Hagar.
The freewoman, Sarah.
Son of the bondwoman, Ishmael.
Son of the freewoman, Isaac.
Natural birth (the flesh).
Supernatural birth (the promise).
Mount Sinai.
Mount Zion.
The Law.
The Promise.
The earthly Jerusalem.
The heavenly Jerusalem.
Enslaved.
Free.
Fruitful.
Barren.
Small offspring.
Large offspring.
Persecuting.
Persecuted.
Expulsion.
Inheritance.
The Jewish Church is enslaved.
The Christian Church is free.