Paul’s quotation emphasizes the fruit and fertility of the barren woman, who symbolizes Israel or Jerusalem. There was a time when she had no or few children (a reference to the time of Israel’s exile). However, there will come a time where there will be many children, the time after the return from exile. Then there will be even more children than there were before.1 Paul is claiming that this time has now arrived. The prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, not in an earthly city, but in a spiritual one that spreads across the globe.2 Specifically, this means the growth of the church through Gentile believers.3 Since the church includes both Jew and Gentile, it is more fruitful than the Mosaic law (Hagar, who is the present Jerusalem) which includes Jews only.4
27 car il est écrit:Réjouis-toi, stérile, toi qui n'enfantes point!Eclate et pousse des cris, toi qui n'as pas éprouvé les douleurs de l'enfantement!Car les enfants de la délaissée seront plus nombreuxQue les enfants de celle qui était mariée.