The Greek Meaning of Allegorically: From Paul to the Galatians

What Does 'Allegorically' Mean in the Bible?

In Scripture, 'allegorically' refers to interpreting a narrative or text symbolically, where characters, events, or settings represent deeper spiritual or theological truths.

Paul employs this method in Galatians 4:24, explaining that Hagar and Sarah from Genesis 16 - 21 symbolize two covenants: Hagar represents the Old Covenant under Sinai, while Sarah embodies the New Covenant in Christ. By reading the story allegorically, Paul reveals that the conflict between the two women mirrors the spiritual struggle between law and grace. This approach allows Scripture’s historical accounts to unveil broader theological patterns.

Allegorical interpretation, as seen here, does not negate the literal events but layers meaning onto them, inviting readers to see how God’s redemptive purposes unfold across time. Understanding this method helps clarify how biblical authors connect Old Testament stories to New Testament truths.

Allegory in Galatians 4:24

In Galatians 4:24, Paul employs allegory to reinterpret the Genesis narrative of Hagar and Sarah as a spiritual metaphor for the relationship between the Old and New Covenants.

Paul writes, 'For Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she gives birth to children who are slaves just as Jerusalem does' (Galatians 4:24). By doing so, he reframes the literal story of Abraham’s two wives as a symbolic contrast between bondage to the Law and freedom in Christ. This method allows Paul to connect the historical events of Genesis to the theological conflict facing the Galatian churches.

Hagar, representing the covenant of Sinai, symbolizes a system of legalistic obedience that produces servitude, while Sarah, representing the covenant of promise, embodies the grace and freedom found in Christ. Paul’s allegorical reading highlights that the struggle between Hagar’s and Sarah’s children mirrors the spiritual tension between law and grace. Importantly, this interpretation does not dismiss the historical reality of the Genesis account but layers theological meaning onto it, revealing how God’s redemptive plan unfolds through covenants.

This allegorical approach serves Paul’s urgent pastoral purpose: to warn the Galatians against reverting to Jewish legalism. By casting Hagar as a symbol of the temporary, preparatory covenant and Sarah as the eternal, Christ-centered covenant, he underscores that salvation hinges on faith, not works. Such a method invites readers to see Scripture’s deeper patterns while respecting its historical narrative, a balance critical for understanding biblical theology.

Allegory vs. Literal Meaning in Scripture

Allegory and literal interpretation serve distinct roles in biblical exegesis, each illuminating different layers of meaning.

Paul’s allegorical approach in Galatians 4:24 - interpreting Hagar and Sarah as symbols of the Old and New Covenants - demonstrates how Scripture can encode theological truths within historical narratives. Paul reframes Genesis 16 - 21 to highlight the tension between law and grace. He quotes, 'For Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she gives birth to children who are slaves just as Jerusalem does.' Similarly, Genesis 22’s account of Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac has been read allegorically by some as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice, though others emphasize its literal narrative of faith. Scholars debate the appropriateness of allegory, with some advocating caution to preserve historical context while others, like Paul, see it as a divinely sanctioned tool for uncovering deeper theological patterns.

This tension underscores the need for discernment: allegory is most appropriate when the text itself invites symbolic interpretation, as in Galatians, but risks distortion when imposed without textual or contextual support.

Applying Allegorical Interpretation Today

To engage responsibly with allegory in Scripture, readers must first recognize when the text itself invites symbolic reading.

Paul’s approach in Galatians 4:24 - interpreting Hagar and Sarah as representations of the Old and New Covenants - demonstrates how allegory can illuminate theological contrasts when the narrative structure supports it. Look for patterns where characters, events, or settings align with broader spiritual themes, as Paul connects Genesis 16 - 21 to the tension between law and grace. However, allegory should never override the plain meaning of the text unless the author explicitly layers symbolic intent, as seen in Paul’s clear explanation of his method.

A key risk is imposing later theological constructs onto texts that lack such symbolic foundations. For example, while some have read Genesis 22 allegorically as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice, others emphasize its straightforward account of Abraham’s faith. Overreaching risks distorting the original context, so always anchor allegorical readings in the text’s historical and literary framework, as Paul does by grounding his symbols in the Genesis narrative itself.

Going Deeper

Paul’s use of allegory in Galatians 4:24 offers a model for understanding how biblical authors layered spiritual meaning onto historical narratives.

To explore further, study Paul’s other references to allegory, such as his discussion of Israel’s wilderness journey as a 'type' in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, where he writes, 'Our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea... and drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.' Engage with trusted commentaries on Galatians and 1 Corinthians, or explore scholarly articles on Pauline hermeneutics to deepen your grasp of this interpretive method.