Galatians 4:21-31 Interpretation - Assignment Example

A. Who? (The Characters)

Description: Find out all you can about the author and the recipients, including their identities and situations. If specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about them. There are two characters central the letter; the author and the audience. There are also other characters listed in this passage that you will need to identify. You are not composing a detailed biography of their lives. You simply want to note what Galatians 4:21-31 says about them and how that fits with other Scriptural passages. Your "Who" section should have at least 5 "Who" questions.

Question: who is the speaker in the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: Galatians was written by Paul; hence he is the speaker in the passage.

Context: in the passage, the recipients of this letter are warned against reverting back to the law. The passage uses the word "brethren," which is the name apostles addressed each other. It commonly cited in epistles of Paul. Therefore, it was addressing the church of Galatians as the leader of the church.

Comparison: the issues of circumcision and observance of the law is also addressed in the letter to Romans (Romans 2). This demonstrates that Paul is the speaker in the book of Galatians, as he is addressing the same issue.

Consultation: according to Jobes (1993), the epistles addressed chief issues facing the individual church. Paul was keen to highlight these issues, as seen in the passage. The passage assumes his typical metaphorical style of expanding matters.

Conclusion: therefore, the speaker in the passage is Paul, who assumes the position of the church leader.

Question: who is addressed in the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: the passages addresses the group among Christians that promotes law as a way to salvation.

Context: the passage begins by posing a question to those advocated for the revival of the law. The chief message in the passage is meant to show light to this group.

Comparison: the coming of Jesus brought to an end the slavery imposed by the law. He ushered a new order in Christianity. This is evident in the book of Jeremiah31: 31-34, where Jeremiah prophesied the new covenant.

Consultation: Jesus' death redeemed Christians from slavery (Thielman, 1999). Therefore, the message in the passage addresses the group that is stuck in the past order.

Conclusion: an audience is a group among Christians of Galatia who bend to law.

Question: who does the Hagar’s children represent?

The initial proposal based on content: the generation of Ishmael represents the people who advocate the law.

Context: in the Scripture, Paul argues that Hagar's child was born of flesh. Therefore, he was a slave to the law. He terms Christianity to be descendants of Isaac, who is born of the free woman.

Comparison: Paul borrows allegory of Sarah and Hagar from Genesis 16:15, 21:2,9. The story of Hagar and Sarah clearly shows the distinction between the people Christians and worldly people, in that Hagar was a slave and subject to law, unlike Sarah.

Consultation: Paul demonstrates the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant and its meaning. His books show the relevance of his teaching in relation to the old covenant (Jobes, 1993).

Conclusion: Hagar’s generation is used to represent the slavery of binding to the law.

Question: who does Sarah’s generation represent in the context of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: Sarah was bore Isaac, who was the promised child.

Context: In the passage, Paul expounds on the relevance of Christ’s death, which redeems believers into God’s sons. While the law makes believers slaves of religion, Christ grants the freedom and heavenly inheritance, just like Isaac was the true heir.

Comparison: in the book of Genesis, Abraham entered into a covenant with God, where circumcision was the symbol. This applies to the new covenant, where the death of Jesus was the symbol. Paul uses this concept of covenant to build his argument, comparing Isaac to Christians.

Consultation: According to Caneday (2010), Paul derives exercise his understanding of Jesus as the son of God to bring light to the concept of Abrahams's covenant. Therefore, as Isaac was bound to inherit the nation under the covenant, Christian shall inherit heavens through Jesus.

Conclusion: Sarah's generation represents those who are free in Christ.

Question: who are the slaves in the context of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: slaves are those who bind by law as a way to salvation.

Context: Paul refers to upholding the law as a burden to the beliefs. He also points out that this burden is not for Christians to bear.

Comparison: The Sinai covenant, which Paul cites, required believer to uphold laws and follow customs as a way of salvation. This put burden on them, which was offset by the death of Christ. Therefore, upholding these laws is embracing slavery.

Consultation: Paul teaching was about freedom in Christ. He observes these in most of his epistles (Caneday, 2010). Therefore, Christ was the only way to freedom.

Conclusion: slaves are the people who abide by earthly laws.

B. What? (The Key Truths or Events)

Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the tone of the passage - joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in Galatians 4:21-31? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout Scripture. You should identify at least five “what” questions.

Question: what is the tone of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: Paul is disappointed by the Christian of Galatia.

Context: the passage begins with a rhetorical question, which indicates the recipient’s ignorance.

Comparison: In the verses preceding the passage, Paul uses words like “beseech, bandage, and beggarly” to demonstrate how the Galatians had let him down.

Consultation: The Sinai covenant and Abraham's covenants were being the foundation of the laws (Jackson-mccabe, 2001). Paul seeks to explain these to the ignorant Galatians, who craved law but not its consequences.

Conclusion:

The tone of the passage is a disappointment.

Question: what is the significance of new Jerusalem and the old Jerusalem?

The initial proposal based on content: Jerusalem represents the transition in covenants.

Context: in the passage, Jerusalem is compared to Hagar, who represents slavery. But the new Jerusalem is associated with freedom, which was brought about by Christ.

Comparison: in the new testament, new Jerusalem represents heavens. In the book of John 3:16, Jesus is the only way to the heavenly inheritance. In this context, Paul was guiding the Galatians to new Jerusalem.

Consultation: Jerusalem is a significant city in Christianity (Jackson-mccabe, 2001). It might be used figuratively to symbolize eternal inheritance. However, the earthly Jerusalem is afflicted with earthy issues, unlike the new Jerusalem.

Conclusion: Jerusalem is used figuratively to represent the transitions in the covenant.

Question: what does persecution mean in the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: in the passage, persecution implies leading further from the truth.

Context: in the passage, Paul outlines that Ishmael, who was born of the flesh, persecuted Isaac, who was born out of a promise. This is equivalent of leading people into abiding by the law, which earthly, from Christ's freedom, which is spiritual.

Comparison: During Ahab's era, those who believed in God were persecuted; thus, people were compelled to believe in earthly gods. In the same way, pushing people into laws is like persecuting them.

Consultation: Caneday (2010) equates Ishmael’s persecution as the propaganda raises in the church. In this regard, those promoting the propagandas are persecuting the Christians.

Conclusion: persecution, therefore, implies movement away from true redemption.

Question: how is Abraham's covenant with God interpreted in the Scripture?

The initial proposal based on content: Abraham's covenant is equated to the new covenant marked by the coming of Jesus.

Context: Abraham had two sons but born of different mothers. Slaves son shared no inheritance with a free son. Similarly, observing the law and receding salvation from Christ are born out of believing. But Christ salvation entails freedom.

Comparison: Abraham was promised a great nation in his covenant with God, which was marked by circumcision. This compares to the covenant that Paul is talking about in the passage. The new covenant promises heavenly inheritance, where Christ's death is the price.

Consultation: according to Gignilliat (2008), Paul’s passage uses is allegorical, in that it cites the old testament in ration to the issues addressed.

Conclusion: Abraham’s covenant represents the new covenant in the passage.

Question: what is the main message in the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: the main message in the passage was urging Christians to fully embrace Christianity.

Context: the passage contrast observing the law and embracing Christ salvation. It demonstrates that the latter is much easier and more right than the former.

Comparison: following the gospels, the apostles were charged with spreading the gospel. Therefore, Paul's writings mainly serve to offer guidance to churches and Christians.

Consultation: the chief issue addressed in Galatians 4 is Christian’s freedom (Gignilliat, 2008). Pau desires for the Christians to experience the whole the freedom associated with salvation.

Conclusion: the main message in the passage is to ensure the assumption of Christianity fully.

C. Where? (The Geography and location)

Description: Where are the author and readers at the time of the writing? Are there places in the passage that need to be identified in geographic placement? Can anything be learned from the location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in this passage before considering their significance outside of Galatians 4:21-31. You should identify at least two “where” question.

Question: where are the recipients of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: the book of Galatians was a letter to the church of Galatia.

Context: the passage is written I first-person, implying that it is addressed to a group of Christians. It addresses the issues facing these group in their location.

Comparison: chapter 4 is a continuation of chapter 3, which is directly addressed to Galatians. Paul expounds his message in the previous chapter, thus indicating the passage was directed to people in Galatia.

Consultation: Gignilliat (2008), points out that Paul, as a leader of the church, wrote to all churches in response to the main issues of concern. This shows that the passage concerned the Galatians.

Conclusion: the passage was directed to the church of Galatia.

Question: What can be identified about the location recipients?

The initial proposal based on content: the church of Galatia was in chaos.

Context: Paul addresses a specific group in the church, who were advocating for adherence to the law. This implies that the actions of these groups triggered the chaos needing to be addressed.

Comparison: Jerusalem is a feature in the old testament as a significant city, that was always under attack from its enemies. However, it was resilient with a wall around its which protected it from invasion.

Consultation: the church is compared associated with the rivalry between Isaac and Ishmael (Caneday, 2010). This speaks volumes about the church of Galatia.

Conclusion: the church of Galatia was in ideological chaos.

D. When? (The Time Factors)

Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage. Does the message depend at all on certain aspects of the era in the church's history in which it was written? Is there a lesson to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this presented first in Galatians 4:21-31 and then throughout the Scriptures. You should identify at least one “when” question.

Question: what era in the history of the church was the passage set?

The initial proposal based on content: the passage was written during movement from the old covenant Christianity to new covenant Christianity.

Context: the passage addresses issue associated with movement in faith. Christians were still new to the idea of Christ’s salvation.

Comparison: the conflict between the law and new Christianity order was a key factor during the transition from law to the new covenant. This is evident in the other epistles of Paul and the gospel.

Consultation: Gignilliat (2008), notes that Paul's letters were addresses issue concerning the establishment of the church. Christians were not fully amassed in the new coven mat and change it brought about.

Conclusion: the passage was set in the era during the transition from the law based Christianity to new covenant based Christianity.

E. Why? (The purpose of this passage)

Description: The purpose question is two-sided: there is the need that caused the revelation to be given, and there is the author's message that addressed that need. Here you are drawing a conclusion based on all that you have studied. Examine your work in observation and this interpretation exercise; what do you believe is the need of the Galatian believers and then what is Paul's message, and how does it address that need?

The Need: The Galatians believers needed clarity on the essence of law and the significance of Christ’s death. It is evident that they were reluctant to observe the law, but they were not comfortable with the new form of salvation. This was caused by lack of knowledge.

The Message: Paul's message to these beliefs is that returning to the law is like embracing slavery while receiving Christ is embracing freedom. Paul used Sarah-Hagar allegory, that explains both the source of law and the significance of Christ.

Context: in the Scripture, Paul argues that Hagar's child was born of flesh. Therefore, he was a slave to the law. He terms Christianity to be descendants of Isaac, who is born of the free woman.

Comparison: Paul borrows allegory of Sarah and Hagar from Genesis 16:15, 21:2,9. The story of Hagar and Sarah clearly shows the distinction between the people Christians and worldly people, in that Hagar was a slave and subject to law, unlike Sarah.

Consultation: Paul demonstrates the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant and its meaning. His books show the relevance of his teaching in relation to the old covenant (Jobes, 1993).

Conclusion: Hagar’s generation is used to represent the slavery of binding to the law.

Question: who does Sarah’s generation represent in the context of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: Sarah was bore Isaac, who was the promised child.

Context: In the passage, Paul expounds on the relevance of Christ’s death, which redeems believers into God’s sons. While the law makes believers slaves of religion, Christ grants the freedom and heavenly inheritance, just like Isaac was the true heir.

Comparison: in the book of Genesis, Abraham entered into a covenant with God, where circumcision was the symbol. This applies to the new covenant, where the death of Jesus was the symbol. Paul uses this concept of covenant to build his argument, comparing Isaac to Christians.

Consultation: According to Caneday (2010), Paul derives exercise his understanding of Jesus as the son of God to bring light to the concept of Abrahams's covenant. Therefore, as Isaac was bound to inherit the nation under the covenant, Christian shall inherit heavens through Jesus.

Conclusion: Sarah's generation represents those who are free in Christ.

Question: who are the slaves in the context of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: slaves are those who bind by law as a way to salvation.

Context: Paul refers to upholding the law as a burden to the beliefs. He also points out that this burden is not for Christians to bear.

Comparison: The Sinai covenant, which Paul cites, required believer to uphold laws and follow customs as a way of salvation. This put burden on them, which was offset by the death of Christ. Therefore, upholding these laws is embracing slavery.

Consultation: Paul teaching was about freedom in Christ. He observes these in most of his epistles (Caneday, 2010). Therefore, Christ was the only way to freedom.

Conclusion: slaves are the people who abide by earthly laws.

B. What? (The Key Truths or Events)

Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the tone of the passage - joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in Galatians 4:21-31? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout Scripture. You should identify at least five “what” questions.

Question: what is the tone of the passage?

The initial proposal based on content: Paul is disappointed by the Christian of Galatia.

Context: the passage begins with a rhetorical question, which indicates the recipient’s ignorance.

Comparison: In the verses preceding the passage, Paul uses words like “beseech, bandage, and beggarly” to demonstrate how the Galatians had let him down.

Consultation: The Sinai covenant and Abraham's covenants were being the foundation of the laws (Jackson-mccabe, 2001). Paul seeks to explain these to the ignorant Galatians, who craved law but not its consequences.

Conclusion:

The tone of the passage is a disappointment.

Question: what is the significance of new Jerusalem and the old Jerusalem?

The initial proposal based on content: Jerusalem represents the transition in covenants. Read More