Philip Dampier's Blog

“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” (Gal. 4:26) There are two Jerusalems in Paul’s allegory. One is on the earth and one is in heaven. One is physical, earthly and one is spiritual, heavenly. The Jerusalem on earth is in slavery because she is under…

“Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.” (Gal. 4:25) To make sure there is no doubt about what Paul is talking about, he zeroes in on Mount Sinai. It is the one in Arabia. It is…

“Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants, One is From Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.” (Gal. 4:24) Paul intends to use the information in verses 22 and 23 to teach a lesson relative to the law and the promise of Jesus. He…

I have just re-released The Red Shoe as an eBook on Amazon. It is available for $2.99. Give the series a try, it has great reviews. Philip

“But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.” (Gal. 4:23) In the previous verse, we learned that the two sons of Abraham were birthed by two separate women who are specified as slave and free.…

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.” (Gal. 4:22) We remember that in chapter three Paul used an argument about the law and Christ based on the Father. Now in chapter four Paul will use an argument…

“Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?” (Gal. 4:21) This part of the letter is addressed to those who are trying to persuade their fellow Christians, Jews, and Gentiles into coming under the law. A big mistake they are making…

“…my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.” (Gal. 4:19, 20) We’ve felt this coming, haven’t we? This anguish Paul…

“It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,” (Gal. 4:18) Paul has had reason to brag on them in the past and when they were following the teachings of Jesus and the Holy Spirit they were…

“They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.” (Gal. 4:17) Who are the ‘they’? I think it’s pretty obvious that Paul is referring to the false teachers. They couldn’t be nicer to the Galatians. All…