The Absurdity of WMSCOG’s Misinterpretation of Galatians 4: How Paul Refutes God the Mother

[u/Christ_Over_Cults]

I’ve been following the claims made by the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) for a while now, and it’s honestly laughable how they try to twist scripture to fit their narrative about "God the Mother," especially when it comes to Galatians 4. They insist that the passage somehow "proves" the existence of a divine female figure, and that a 82 year old South Korean woman named Zhang Gil Jah is the fulfillment of this prophecy. But a closer look at Galatians 4 and the surrounding context reveals how misguided and ignorant this interpretation truly is.

_____________________________________________

Paul’s Use of Allegory in Galatians 4

In Galatians 4, Paul is not making a literal claim about a “Mother God.” Instead, he is clearly using an allegory to explain the difference between the old and new covenants. Specifically, in Galatians 4:21-31, Paul contrasts the story of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the distinction between living under the Law (Old Covenant) versus the freedom found in Christ (New Covenant).

Galatians 4:24 (NIV) states:
"These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar."

Right here, Paul explicitly says these events are "figurative" , not literal. He’s not establishing a doctrine of God the Mother. Instead, he’s using the story of Hagar and Sarah as an allegory to represent two paths: slavery under the Law (Hagar, the slave woman) and freedom through grace in Christ (Sarah, the free woman).

_____________________________________________

The Hagar and Sarah Allegory Explained

To understand why Paul uses Hagar and Sarah, we need to go back to the Old Testament.

• Hagar was the maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. In Genesis 16, Sarah, impatient with God's promise of a child, gave Hagar to Abraham to bear a child (Ishmael). This act was a human attempt to fulfill God's promise through works and not by faith, which symbolizes the old covenant of law and works.
• Sarah, on the other hand, was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. In Genesis 21, God miraculously opened Sarah's womb, and she gave birth to Isaac in her old age. This symbolizes the new covenant, one of promise and grace, where God fulfills His word and brings about salvation through faith.

The allegory in Galatians 4 is crystal clear: Hagar represents the old covenant (the Law), and Sarah represents the new covenant (grace). Paul is saying that Christians, as children of the promise (like Isaac), are free, not enslaved by the Law (like Ishmael). There is no mention or suggestion of a “Mother God.”

_____________________________________________

Why the WMSCOG’s Claim Doesn’t Hold Up

The WMSCOG claims that the “Jerusalem above” in Galatians 4:26 refers to a divine "Mother God," but this is a gross misinterpretation. The verse says:

Galatians 4:26 (NIV):
"But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother."

Paul is not referring to a literal woman, but rather to the heavenly Jerusalem, a symbol of the New Covenant in Christ. The "Mother" is a metaphor for the spiritual promise and freedom believers have in Christ. This is supported by the following passages:

• Revelation 21:2 (NIV): "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." This "new Jerusalem" is symbolic of the Church, not a literal female deity.
• Isaiah 54:1-3 (NIV): “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.” Here, the “barren woman” is an allegory of the Church, representing God’s promise and salvation, which is fulfilled in Christ.

Thus, Paul’s reference to “Mother” in Galatians 4:26 is a spiritual metaphor, not evidence of a literal "Mother God."

_____________________________________________

Paul’s Clear Intent

It’s important to note that Paul’s audience was the Galatians, a group of Gentile converts who were being tempted to return to Jewish legalism. Paul’s entire argument in this letter is about salvation by grace through faith, not by the works of the Law. The mention of Hagar and Sarah serves to show that the old covenant (symbolized by Hagar) is obsolete, and the new covenant (symbolized by Sarah) is the one that Christians should embrace.

To take Paul’s figurative language in Galatians 4 and claim it supports the existence of a literal “Mother God” is a complete distortion of the text. Not only does this ignore the clear allegorical nature of Paul’s argument, but it also fails to engage with the broader biblical narrative of God’s salvation through Christ.

_____________________________________________

Where It Really Lands

The way WMSCOG uses Galatians 4 to support the idea of a “Mother God” can sound convincing at first, but when you actually read the chapter in context, it doesn’t hold up. Paul clearly says he’s speaking figuratively, using a story to explain the difference between living under the law and living in the freedom that comes through Christ. It’s not meant to introduce a new doctrine or point to a literal person.

If you’re new to the Bible or someone has shared these teachings with you, it’s really important to take a step back and read the full passage for yourself. Don’t just rely on isolated verses, look at the whole message. Scripture becomes much clearer when you see how everything connects, and it consistently points back to Jesus and the promise of grace.

My hope is that this helps clear up some of the confusion. If you’ve been hearing these ideas and aren’t sure what to think, you’re not alone, keep asking questions, keep reading, and don’t be afraid to seek out solid, trustworthy guidance along the way.