Galatians 4:22

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one of a servant, and one of a free woman [one of the handmaiden, and one of the free wife].

Galatians 4:22 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 4:22

For it is written
In ( Genesis 16:15 ) ( 21:9 )

that Abraham had two sons,
not two sons only; for besides the two referred to, he had six more, ( Genesis 25:2 ) but it being only pertinent to the apostle's purpose to take notice of these two, he mentions no more, though he does not deny that he had any more. These two sons were Ishmael and Isaac:

the one by a bondmaid.
Ishmael was by Hagar, Sarah's servant, who represented the covenant the Jewish nation was under the bondage of.

The other by a free woman.
Isaac was by Sarah, Abraham's proper and lawful wife, who was mistress of the family, and represented in figure the covenant, and Gospel church state, and all believers, Gentiles as well as Jews, as under the liberty thereof.

Galatians 4:22 In-Context

20 and I would now be at you, and change my voice, for I am confounded among you [for I am confounded, or shamed, in you].

21 Say to me, ye that will be under the law, have ye not read the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one of a servant, and one of a free woman [one of the handmaiden, and one of the free wife].

23 But he that was of the servant, was born after the flesh; but he that was of the free woman, by a promise. [+Forsooth he that was of the handmaiden/handmaid was born after the flesh; but he that was of the free wife, was born by promise.]

24 The which things be said by another understanding. For these be two testaments; one in the hill of Sinai, engendering into servage, which is Agar. [+Which things be said by allegory, or by another understanding. For why these things be two testaments; soothly the one in the mount Sinai, gendering into servage, that is Agar.]