White Horse Inn: The Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace in Galatians

Date: December 14, 2025
Hosts: Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, Walter R. Strickland II

Overview

This episode of White Horse Inn explores Paul’s argument in Galatians regarding the contrast between the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace. The hosts examine the theological implications of Paul’s use of Old Testament imagery, particularly the allegory of Hagar and Sarah, and discuss the crucial Reformation distinction between law and gospel. With references to Reformed confessions, historical theology, and pastoral application, the episode unpacks how these distinctions clarify the believer’s freedom in Christ and the role of the law in the Christian life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Paul’s Allegory in Galatians 4: Law as Slavery vs. Promise as Freedom

• Paul’s bold contrast: Paul asserts that those seeking justification by the law are “children of Hagar,” i.e., slaves, while believers in Christ are “children of Sarah,” i.e., recipients of the promise and true heirs.

  • Quote: “Those who cling to the law for salvation... are condemned, are children of Hagar, regardless of their ethnic lineage.” — Mike Horton [05:36]

• Offensive assertion: This was shocking to Paul’s Jewish contemporaries, as it inverted their assumed spiritual pedigree.

  • Quote: “To say that Jerusalem is associated with Hagar. Yes, that the law is associated with Hagar. This is... shattering the whole Jewish identity completely. At this point." — Bob Hiller [06:19]

• Narrative recap: The law’s role is likened to Pharaoh’s temporary custodianship, holding people in bondage until “the Savior arrives” (i.e., Christ), paralleling the Exodus (Bob Hiller [00:39]).

2. Law vs. Promise: The Heart of Paul’s Argument (Galatians 3–4)

• Historical theological framing: Paul’s distinction has been a core Reformation insight: the law as a “mirror” showing sin and the gospel as the promise of adoption and grace.

  • Horton reads Calvin and Beza to reinforce the classical Reformed Law-Gospel distinction.
  • Quote: “The law tells us simply what we owe to God, accord[ing] us no hope of life unless we fulfill every part of it, and on the contrary, annexing a curse if we are guilty of the smallest transgression.” — Mike Horton quoting Calvin [11:42]
  • “We divide the word of God into two principal parts or kinds, the one called the law, the other the gospel, for all the rest can be gathered under one of these two headings.” — Mike Horton reading Beza [15:41]

• Justification and adoption: Justification removes guilt; adoption brings intimacy with God.

  • Quote: “Justification... simply [makes us] pardoned criminals before a forgiving judge. But adoption takes us off the street. It brings us into a family.” — Justin Holcomb [09:34]
  • Horton: “Calvin on Romans 8:15 contrasts the spirit of bondage with the Spirit of adoption...” [11:42]

• Law’s limitations: The law delivers only curses for failure and temporal blessings for obedience; ultimately, it exposes our need for Christ.

3. The "Republication" Debate: How Does the Mosaic Covenant Relate?

• Covenant theology explained: Hosts discuss “republication”—the idea that the Mosaic covenant (Mount Sinai) in some sense reiterates the original covenant of works with Adam.

  • “Most Reformed theologians have said, yes, in some sense, the Mosaic covenant is a republication of the covenant of works… The covenant at Mount Sinai is not based on promise. The covenant at Mount Sinai is based on law. Don’t confuse these mountains. Don’t confuse law and promise.” — Mike Horton [15:41]

• Differences enumerated: Horton notes key distinctions—after the Fall, the Mosaic covenant concerns only temporal blessings; Adam’s covenant involved eternal stakes.

  • “The law says, do this and you will live. The promise says, I’ll do this and you will live.” — Mike Horton [18:55]

• Mono-covenantalism discussion: “Mono-covenantalism” (the Mosaic law as merely another administration of the covenant of grace) is pushed back against. “The law itself has no grace in it.” — Mike Horton [18:55]

4. Christ as the Fulfillment of Both Law and Promise

• Christ satisfies both demands and curses:

  • “He fulfills the law both in its expectations and demands, and also in the curses that it exacts upon sinners… Jesus becomes sort of the chief of sinners on the cross, if we can say it that way, where he dies for us...” — Bob Hiller [20:22]
  • “All the covenants, both of them, do come to a head in Christ. One is the fulfillment of promise, the other’s the fulfillment of the law.” — Bob Hiller [20:22]

• New identity for believers:

  • “You are sons living in Christ, no longer under the law, no longer in Egypt, no longer in slavery… Christ has called you and made you sons and heirs of the kingdom.” — Bob Hiller [00:39]

5. Living Free: The Goal and Shape of Christian Freedom

• True freedom:

  • “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” — Walter Strickland quoting Galatians 5:1 [26:41]

• Law’s lawfulness, but not for justification:

  • “The laws, the holiness of God, the character of God. There's nothing wrong with the law… Problem is not with the law, the problem is with you.” — Walter Strickland [29:58]

• Walking by the Spirit:

  • “Paul does not see the reception of the Spirit, the reception of the Gospel, as something that turns you further in on yourself. In fact, it’s the opposite...” — Bob Hiller [31:30]
  • The Spirit’s fruit (love, joy, peace, etc.) is not a human accomplishment but the Spirit’s work; the moral transformation follows from the gospel, not from law-keeping for merit’s sake.

6. Practical Questions: Walking by the Spirit vs. Legalism and Antinomianism

• Misinterpretations challenged:

  • “This is not... ‘stay away from external stuff and get into your emotions.’ What Paul is saying is... the Spirit produces in us... love, joy, peace, patience, etc... you don’t have people sitting around picking on each other’s sins... you see someone struggling with sin, I know where to get him forgiveness.” — Bob Hiller [31:30]

• Sanctification’s shape:

  • “The Spirit produces in us... not by threats, not by condemnation... but by showing us, look, this is what has happened. You are free. This is not become free, make yourself free, find freedom. This is—I just told you, you are free. So why do you live like a slave?” — Mike Horton [45:21]

• Role of fruit and change:

  • “It is... fertilized by God. The trees are pruned by God. He’s the gardener. And what did we bring? We brought the works of the flesh… Sexual immorality… envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these... That’s what it sounds like Jesus saying what comes from the heart...” — Walter Strickland [33:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the limits of the law:
  • “The law holds all men under its curse. From the law, therefore, it is useless to seek any blessing.” — Mike Horton quoting Calvin [11:42]
• On Christ’s sufficiency:
  • “We are saved by works. We have to be saved by works. The law has to be fulfilled. We’re just saved by someone else’s.” — Mike Horton [19:27]
• Pastoral wisdom:
  • “Just as you were saying, Justin, it's about abiding. It's like clinging to Christ… If you cling to Christ… you’ll lean into the fullness of what the Spirit offers…” — Bob Hiller [39:11]
• On spiritual formation:
  • “It’s not about virtue cultivation… We are not the gardeners of this fruit. We’re not the primary agency… The Holy Spirit works in you to will and to do God’s good pleasure.” — Walter Strickland [33:07]
• Defining sin:
  • “Sin is a legitimate need met by an illegitimate means.” — Justin Holcomb [43:43]
• Summary of Gospel reality:
  • “You are free. So why do you live like a slave?” — Mike Horton [45:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:39] – Bob Hiller: Introduction of law as slavery; Christ as deliverer; biblical typology (Exodus)
• [02:27] – Mike Horton: Deep dive into Galatians 4 allegory (Hagar and Sarah)
• [09:34] – Justin Holcomb & hosts: Justification and adoption—relational blessings of the covenant of grace
• [11:42] – Mike Horton: Classical Reformed sources on Law and Gospel
• [15:41] – Discussion: Reformed consensus on Law/Gospel and the Covenants
• [18:55] – Law’s role as curse and limitation; the necessity of Christ’s fulfillment
• [20:22] – Bob Hiller: Christ fulfills both demands and curses of the law
• [26:41] – Walter Strickland: Freedom in Christ expounded (“For freedom, Christ has set us free”)
• [31:26] – Hosts: What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit”? Clarifying common misunderstandings
• [33:07] – The fruit of the Spirit vs. works of the flesh; sanctification as God’s work in us
• [45:21] – Mike Horton: Living in the freedom Christ has secured

Conclusion

Through a rich conversation laced with biblical exegesis, historic Reformed theology, and practical counsel, the hosts affirm Paul’s radical gospel: salvation is by Christ’s fulfillment of the law, not by our works. The law’s righteous demands and curses drive us to Christ—who not only justifies but also adopts and transforms. The believer is thus truly free, empowered by the Spirit to love and serve without fear or condemnation.

Final word:
“You are free. So why do you live like a slave?” — Mike Horton [45:21]