His final appeal has perplexed many commentators. The use of the historical narrative concerning Hagar and Sarah coupled with the prophetic utterance of Isaiah (Isa. 54:1) appears to make Paul guilty of some specious scriptural interpretation. This may be an instance when our lack of specific acquaintance with all the dynamics of the Galatian situation hinders our ability to understand. (Possibly Paul’s approach discredits interpretations offered by the opponents?)

The “allegory” (4:24; NIV “figuratively”) stresses the main points of Paul’s previous arguments and thus stands as a good, if somewhat ironic, summation of the opponents’ errors. Utilizing an incident revolving around Abraham (likely one of the opponents’ favorite figures because of the institution of circumcision), Paul shows…