In Galatians 3-5, Paul discusses two covenants.
It's interesting to see which words are associated with each covenant in this passage of scripture.
Mount Sinai Covenant Gal 4:24-26
The covenant of the Jerusalem from above. Gal 4:24-26
24 [s]This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children [t]who are to be slaves; [u]she is Hagar.25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.26 But the Jerusalem above is free; [v]she is our mother.
Let's take a look at words Paul associates with each covenant.
He's creating two clear categories and associating one category with a set of words, and another category with a set of words.
Covenant from Sinai.
Works of the law Gal 3:25
Flesh Gal 3:3
Curse Gal 3:10,12
Law Gal 3:12
Not of faith Gal 3:12
Doesn't impart life Gal 3:21
Slave Gal 4:1,7,8
Guardian, manager, bondage Gal 4:2-3
Weak, worthless elemental things Gal 4:9
Observation of days months seasons years. Gal 4:10
Bondwoman, Flesh Gal 4:22
Slavery covenant Gal 4:24-26
Born according to flesh. Gal 4:29
Yoke of slavery Gal 5:1
Circumcision linked to law keeping. Gal 5:3-4.
Covenant from Jerusalem of above.
Christ crucified Gal 3:1
Spirit Gal 3:1
Hearing with faith Gal 3:2,5
Believing God righteousness Gal 3:6
Faith Sons of Abraham Gal 3:7,9
Righteous faith Gal 3:11
Promise of Spirit Gal 3:14
Christ=Abraham's seed Gal 3:15-18
No longer under tutor Gal 3:25
Sons of God Gal 3:26
Clothed with Christ 3:27
One in Christ Gal 3:28
Redeemed from being under law Gal 4:5
Adopted as sons Gal 4:5
Crying Abba Father Gal 4:6-7
Known by God Gal 4:9
Free woman, Promise Gal 4:21
Children of promise born according to Spirit Gal 4:28-29
Walking by Spirit Gal 5:16
Take a look at the two categories Paul is building.
Take a look at words and things associated with each.
Now what does he tell us to do with each category?
28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say?“Cast out the bondwoman and her son,
For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, [w]but of the free woman.
Why are people trying to bring themselves under things in the category Paul told us to cast out?