Galatians 4:26

Galatians 4:26

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

a. NLT: But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother.

b. NIV: But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

c. YLT: and the Jerusalem above is the free-woman, which is mother of us all,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But the Jerusalem above (the Messianic kingdom of Christ) is free, and she is our mother.

e. Worrell Translation: But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which, indeed, is our mother.

1. “But Jerusalem which is above is free…”

a. But [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. Jerusalem [2419 * Hierousalḗm] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (H3389); Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine:—Jerusalem.]

c. which is above [507 * ano] [Strong: adverb from G473; upward or on the top:—above, brim, high, up.]

d. is [2076 * esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, ×have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

e. free [1658 * eleútheros] [Strong: probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability):—free (man, woman), at liberty.]

1). It is extremely important that we get this correct. Paul here differentiates between two Jerusalem’s, one is on earth while the other is above or in heaven. What is very enlightening is that Paul then quotes a verse from Isaiah concerning a prophetic promise made to Israel.

a). Isaiah 54:1-5 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

54:3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

2). Again we must emphasize Paul is not referring to the earthly city of Jerusalem that existed in his day or the one that exists in our day, he is referring to the heavenly one which is still in heaven.

a). Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

b). Revelation 21:1-3 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 

21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

2. “…which is the mother of us all.”

a. which [3748 * hostis] [Strong: from G3739 and G5100; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:—X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever).]

b. is [2076 * esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, ×have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

c. the mother [3384 * meter] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote):—mother.]

d. of us [2257 * hemon] [Strong: genitive case plural of G1473; of (or from) us:—our (company), us, we.]

e. all [3956 * pass] [Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:—all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, +no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

1). In light of these undeniable truths we must conclude that many of the promises in the book of Isaiah especially the last third of the book regarding Jerusalem is not speaking of the earthly Jerusalem but the heavenly on which promises will not be fulfilled until the  New Jerusalem is on the earth. The following is a sample passage.

a). Isaiah 66:10-14 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

b). New Jerusalem is the mother of us all.