What in the Word? Did Paul Allegorize Sarah & Hagar? | David deSilva on Galatians 4:21–31
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Apr 29, 2026 David deSilva, New Testament scholar and professor of New Testament and Greek, unpacks Paul’s tricky use of Sarah and Hagar. He explains what Paul means by reading Genesis figuratively and contrasts allegory with typology. They trace Paul’s reversal of lineage, link Hagar to Sinai and Sarah to promise, and explore pastoral and missionary implications.
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Paul's Allegory Responds To A Pastoral Crisis
- Paul addresses a pastoral crisis: rival teachers demanded circumcision and Torah observance, undermining the gospel Paul preached.
- David deSilva explains Paul uses Scripture to defend that faith and the Spirit, not returning to pre-Christ law, secures righteousness.
Circumcision Was The Flashpoint In Galatia
- Kirk notes circumcision was the central demand of rival teachers claiming Gentiles must become Jewish to inherit Abraham's promise.
- David connects this demand to the Galatian crisis and Paul's argument that the Spirit, not ethnic markers, defines heirs.
Allegorically Means A Modest Figurative Move
- The Greek term translated "interpreted allegorically" signals a modest allegorical move: the story communicates something else.
- DeSilva stresses Paul's allegory is bounded; he keeps concerns like lineage and spiritual heritage from Genesis intact while mapping women to covenants.