By these Galatians accepting what the certain 'false brethren' were teaching, they were excluding themselves from Christ. By the phrase 'that ye might affect them', Paul's saying those false ones were doing it to set themselves up as a supposed authority over these Gentiles. That's the old pride system working through the flesh, on both sides of the fence. If we know what God says in His Word through study, then no matter how 'smooth' one is in trying to turn our faith in Christ around, we won't be drawn into it. It's that simple. Then the soothsayer will have to go somewhere else to try and push their false pride authority.

 

Gal 4:19   My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20    I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

     Paul is saying he's going through 'labour pains' to get these Galatians back on the path to Christ. We have got to get rid of all those false traditions which destroy our freedom in Christ.
     Verse 20 shows Paul's sincerity in this matter, as he would rather be present with them and speaking to these Galatians in a different tone of voice, not one of chastisement and rebuke.

 

Gal 4:21    Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22    For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid (Ishmael), the other by a freewoman. (Isaac)
23    But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

     "Don't you hear The Law, didn't you understand its purpose, and haven’t you read?" That's what Paul is asking them. He's getting ready to go deep here with an important analogy.
     Abraham's wife Sarai (later changed to Sarah) was barren, so she gave her Egyptian handmaiden (bondswoman) Hagar to wife for Abraham.

 

Gen.16: Read All.

 

This first son was Ishmael, and was not born to the Covenant Promise, but 'was born after the flesh', as GOD had no part in this first union concerning Hagar, a bondwoman.

GOD had already told Abraham that from him a seed would come to possess the land of the Canaanites.

 

Gen.15: Read All.

 

Gal 4:24   Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

     The word 'allegory' means a parable, analogy, etc. Paul is telling us the True meanings of the two Covenants, the first being towards bondage, and of the flesh, while the second is of the Promise of Salvation, and is freedom through Christ Jesus.
     The word 'Agar' is 'Hagar' in the Hebrew (Strong's no.28).

 Since Hagar was a bondservant to Sarai, she represents the first Covenant given by GOD through Moses on Sinai. Ishmael would be blessed by GOD, even producing the dukes which formed the Arab nations of today.

 

Gal 4:25   For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

     Again, this word 'Agar' is Greek for 'Hagar'. Here Paul uses Hagar to represent Sinai and the