What do the two sons in the Galatians 4 allegory represent?
The two sons represent the two covenants. The one from Mount Sinai, identified with Hagar, corresponds to bondage, which is the Law. The other, born according to promise, stands for the covenant of promise. Scripture contrasts this bondage of Law with the promise, warning against the yoke of bondage.
Les explains that Paul uses the very typical setting of Middle Eastern desert families to make a lesson. The two boys—one born after the flesh and the other born as a result of promise—are an allegory. They represent the two covenants, or agreements. The covenant from Mount Sinai genders to bondage, and that is Hagar. What is really spoken of as bondage? It is the Law. In Galatians 5, the Law is called a yoke of bondage, and Paul warns not to be entangled again with it. The allegory sets the Mount Sinai covenant, Hagar, and Law-bound bondage over against the son born according to promise.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
More Questions
Which covenant does Hagar represent in Galatians 4?
Hagar represents the covenant from Mount Sinai, which genders to bondage.
How can Paul call the Hagar and Sarah story an allegory?
Paul can use the Hagar–Sarah account as an allegory because God deliberately set up those historical events; they really happened, so Paul could later write this picture.