The Use of Allegory in Scripture
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by 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. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Galatians 4:21-31 (KJV)
The word allegory is used in this passage. What is an allegory? The word allegory is allegoreo in Greek and means that facts are used to illustrate a principle or a lesson. An allegory takes things that we can see to represent concepts that cannot usually be seen. The allegorical meaning of something does not do away with the literal meaning. There may be more than one allegorical meaning to a story, but only one literal meaning. Often literal scriptural histories represent spiritual principles. An allegory is a story that tells spiritual truths that we can apply to our lives.
In this passage, we read that Abraham had two sons: Ishmael by Hagar, and Isaac by Sarah. The first one represents the flesh and bondage. The second one represents the spirit and freedom. Hagar, of Mt Sinai, symbolizes the Old Covenant, and Sarah, or Jerusalem, represents the New Covenant. Hagar’s descendants were born after the flesh and live under the Old Covenant; they are not born-again. Sarah, symbolizing the New Covenant and those who are born-again. New Testament believers in Christ are those born according to the promise (the promise of Isaac made to Abraham). Those who are not born-again persecute those who are. Jerusalem which is above, can refer to New Testament believers, who are born from above.
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4:29 (KJV)
The point of this allegory is that we are free in Christ. The flesh brings bondage, and Holy Spirit brings freedom. New Testament believers have a better covenant based on better promises because of the better sacrifice of Jesus. True children of Abraham are his children based on the promise, not the law. As we live under the New Testament and in the Spirit, we walk in freedom because we are God’s children in Christ.
As you read the Bible, look for allegories. Look for people, places, and events in the Word that tell scriptural truths. For example, the Books of Esther, Nehemiah, Genesis, and Exodus are all rich with symbolic meaning. Allegories add greater depth to our understanding of God and his Word. True biblical events can give us more than historical facts; they can tell us how to walk with God.
