Galatians 4:22

4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the ¹  slave woman and the other by the free woman.

Galatians 4:24

4:24 These things may be treated as an allegory, ²  for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.

Galatians 3:20

3:20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one. ³ 

Galatians 5:17

5:17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires ⁴  that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to ⁵  each other, so that you cannot do what you want.

[4:22]  ¹ tn Paul’s use of the Greek article here and before the phrase “free woman” presumes that both these characters are well known to the recipients of his letter. This verse is given as an example of the category called “well-known (‘celebrity’ or ‘familiar’) article” by ExSyn 225.

[4:24]  ² tn Grk “which things are spoken about allegorically.” Paul is not saying the OT account is an allegory, but rather that he is constructing an allegory based on the OT account.

[3:20]  ³ tn The meaning of this verse is disputed. According to BDAG 634 s.v. μεσίτης, “It prob. means that the activity of an intermediary implies the existence of more than one party, and hence may be unsatisfactory because it must result in a compromise. The presence of an intermediary would prevent attainment, without any impediment, of the purpose of the εἶς θεός in giving the law.” See also A. Oepke, TDNT 4:598-624, esp. 618-19.

[5:17]  ⁴ tn The words “has desires” do not occur in the Greek text a second time, but are repeated in the translation for clarity.

[5:17]  ⁵ tn Or “are hostile toward” (L&N 39.1).