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Gal 4:24. Ἀλληγορούμενα) is compounded of ἄλλος and ἀγορέω, to say; so that an allegory is, when one thing is said, another more excellent is signified, for example, in mythology; see Eustathius, or at least the index to his work. This scheme will assist the comparison:-
SUBJECTS.
HISTORICALLY, THE TWO SONS OF ABRAHAM.
Hagar, the Bond-maid:
The Son of the Bond-maid: Isaac, the son of the Free Woman.
allegorically, the two covenants.
She who has a husband:
Those who are from Mount Sinai: Those who are of the promise.
The Mountain (that is now): She who is upwards (that shall be afterwards).
Jerusalem, which now is: Jerusalem, which is above.
The Flesh: The Spirit.
predicates.
The Mother: brings forth slaves.
The Offspring, abundant at first: more abundant afterwards.
persecutes: suffers persecution.
is cast out: rejoices in the inheritance.
But the language of Paul is of the most extensive application, so that his discourse may comprehend the doctrine both of the Law and the Gospel, and the Old and New Dispensations; and not only all these things together in the abstract, but also the people belonging to each doctrine and dispensation, as if they were two families, with their respective mothers, in the concrete. Hence that declaration, Agar is the covenant from Mount Sinai, to which we is opposed, Gal 4:28. Hence, by parity of reasoning, the quick passing from the one to the other in the allegory.-μία μὲν, the one indeed) But (δὲ), in Gal 4:26, corresponds to this indeed (μὲν); and there follows at Gal 4:28, express mention of the promise, as an antithesis to Sinai or the law; and the same term, promise, swallows up the expression, the other covenant, which would seem to be required in the Apodosis.-Σινᾶ, Sinai) Therefore Paul chiefly treats of the moral law; comp. Gal 3:19; Heb 12:18, etc.-εἰς δουλείαν γεννῶσα, which gendereth to bondage) For she has children, and those too at first numerous.-ἥτις, which) The predicate. Hagar is the subject,[39] if the enunciation be considered within the context; on the other hand, without the context, it is the predicate, as is the case in the allegorical discourse, Mat 13:37-38.brings forth free-born children.The Desolate.The Free Woman.
[39] Beng. thus translates it, “Which Hagar is,” not “Which is Hagar.”-ED.