Galatians 4:26
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
GALATIANS 4:26
Where the bondwoman’s city is “Jerusalem which is above,” Paul identifies the true mother of believers: the heavenly, spiritual Jerusalem. This is the people of God defined by faith in the promise, not by ethnic lineage or geographic location. The verse envisions a current, living reality: believers belong to a family whose origin is not temporary or earthly but divine and eternal. The phrase “the mother of us all” emphasizes spiritual kinship across ethnic and cultural boundaries.
This verse centers the identity of the Church in the certainty of God’s promises and in the reality of the heavenly citizenship. It reframes national or ceremonial identity as secondary to the identity forged by faith. It also declares the unity of believers as children of the same spiritual mother, which has implications for inclusivity, unity, and mission.
In today’s pluralistic world, it’s easy to privatize faith or tie it to a particular nation or culture. This verse invites believers to ground identity in the heavenly city and the family of faith, not merely in local traditions. Practical steps: cultivate cross-cultural hospitality, partner with diverse believers, and let the church’s mission flow from our shared heavenly identity rather than superficial markers. Celebrate the unity of the Spirit across differences.
Cross-References
- Hebrews 11:10 (city with foundations, heavenly)
- Galatians 3:28 (there is neither Jew nor Greek in Christ)
- Philippians 3:20 (citizenship in heaven)