condition because of the nature of σάρξ. For Israel, this coincided with life under the Mosaic Law (Gal 3:19–4:10). Therefore, σάρξ and νόμος were tandem members. From Moses to the Messiah, to be ὑπὸ νόμον was also to be ἐν σαρκί (cf. Rom 8:4). This is why the allegory of Sarah and Hagar in Gal 4:21–31 is so instructive. Paul’s brilliant polemical stroke in this passage is that the Galatians’ desire to be ὑπὸ νόμον (4:21) is the tragic desire to return to the slavery of Hagar and Ishmael,