Topical Encyclopedia The term "free-woman" is primarily associated with the allegorical interpretation found in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul contrasts the "free woman" with the "slave woman" to illustrate the difference between those who are under the law and those who are under the promise of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.Biblical Context: In Galatians 4:22-23 , Paul writes, "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise." Here, the "free woman" refers to Sarah, Abraham's wife, who bore Isaac, the child of promise. In contrast, Hagar, the slave woman, bore Ishmael, who was born according to the flesh. Paul uses this historical account to draw a spiritual parallel between the Old Covenant, represented by Hagar, and the New Covenant, represented by Sarah. In Galatians 4:26 , he states, "But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother." This "Jerusalem above" symbolizes the new covenant of grace and freedom found in Christ, as opposed to the earthly Jerusalem, which is associated with the law and bondage. Theological Significance: The "free-woman" in Paul's allegory represents the freedom that believers have in Christ. This freedom is not a license to sin but a liberation from the bondage of the law and the power of sin. In Galatians 5:1 , Paul exhorts, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." From a theological perspective, the concept of the "free-woman" underscores the transformative power of the Gospel. Believers, like Isaac, are children of the promise, born not of human effort but of divine intervention and grace. This freedom is a central theme in Pauline theology, emphasizing that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human works or adherence to the law. Practical Implications: For Christians, the allegory of the "free-woman" serves as a reminder of their identity in Christ. It calls believers to live in the freedom that Christ provides, free from the legalistic constraints that characterized the Old Covenant. This freedom is marked by a life led by the Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. Moreover, the "free-woman" allegory encourages believers to embrace their status as heirs of God's promise, living in the assurance of their salvation and the hope of eternal life. It challenges Christians to reject any form of spiritual bondage and to walk in the liberty that comes from being children of the promise, fully accepted and loved by God through faith in Jesus Christ. Concordance Free-woman's (1 Occurrence)Galatians 4:31 Thesaurus Free-woman's (1 Occurrence)Free-woman's. Free-woman, Free-woman's. Freight . Multi-Version Concordance Free-woman's (1 Occurrence). Galatians 4 ... /f/free-woman's.htm - 6k Freight (1 Occurrence) Free-woman (4 Occurrences) Maid-servant's (2 Occurrences) Resources Is it a sin to look at a woman's body? | GotQuestions.orgHow is a woman's desire for her husband a curse (Genesis 3:16)? | GotQuestions.org Why do Muslim women have to wear a hijab? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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