Galatians 4:22

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman.

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 But I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone because I am perplexed about you.

21 Tell me, [you] who are wanting to be under the law, do you not understand the law?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman.

23 But the one by the female slave was born according to human descent, and the one by the free woman through the promise,

24 which [things] are spoken allegorically, for these [women] are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing [children] for slavery, who is Hagar.