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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:21-31

In these verses the apostle illustrates the difference between believers who rested in Christ only and those judaizers who trusted in the law, by a comparison taken from the story of Isaac and Ishmael. This he introduces in such a manner as was proper to strike and impress their minds, and to convince them of their great weakness in departing from the truth, and suffering themselves to be deprived of the liberty of the gospel: Tell me, says he, you that desire to be under the law, do you not... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 4:21-31

4:21-31 Tell me this--you who want to be subject to the law, you listen to it being read to you, don't you? Well, then, it stands written in it that Abraham had two sons; one was the son of the slave girl and one was the son of the free woman. But the son of the slave girl was born in the ordinary human way, whereas the son of the free woman was born through a promise. Now these things are an allegory. For these two women stand for two covenants. One of these covenants--the one which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:28

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was ,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "you, brethren"; and so one of Stephens's copies. As the two women, Hagar and Sarah, might be, and are allegorized; so likewise their respective offspring. Isaac signified, and was a type and figure of Abraham's spiritual seed, whether Jews or Gentiles, under the Gospel dispensation: and as he was, so they are, the children of promise ; as Isaac was promised unto Abraham, so were this spiritual seed, when it was said unto... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:29

But as then ,.... In the times of Abraham, when Hagar and Sarah, the types of the two dispensations of the covenant, and Ishmael and Isaac, the figures of the two different seeds, the natural and spiritual seed of Abraham, legalists and true believers, were living: he that was born after the flesh ; which was Ishmael, who was a type, or an allegorical representation of such who were under the Sinai covenant, and were seeking for righteousness by the works of the law; as he was born after... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:30

Nevertheless, what saith the Scripture? .... This is a Talmudic form of citing Scriptures, and answers to מאי קראה , "what says the Scriptures F5 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 9. 2. ?" the passage referred to is Genesis 21:10 and which are the words of Sarah to Abraham; but inasmuch as she spake them under divine inspiration, and they were approved of and confirmed by God, as appears from Genesis 21:12 they are ascribed to God speaking in the Scripture: cast out the bondwoman and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:31

So then, brethren ,.... This is the conclusion of the whole allegory, or the mystical interpretation of Agar and Sarah, and their sons: we are not children of the bondwoman ; the figure of the first covenant, which gendered to bondage, and typified the Jews in a state, and under a spirit of bondage to the law; New Testament saints are not under it, are delivered from it, and are dead unto it: but of the free ; of Sarah, that was a type of the new and second covenant; and answered to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:28

Now we - Who believe in the Lord Jesus, are the children of promise - are the spiritual offspring of the Messiah, the seed of Abraham, in whom the promise stated that all the nations of the earth should be blessed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:29

But as then he - Ishmael, who was born after the flesh - whose birth had nothing supernatural in it, but was according to the ordinary course of nature, Persecuted him - Isaac, who was born after the Spirit - who had a supernatural birth, according to the promise, and through the efficacy, of the Holy Spirit, giving effect to that promise - Sarah shall have a son, Genesis 17:16-21 ; Genesis 21:1 , etc. Persecuted him; the persecution here referred to is that mentioned Genesis 21:9... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:30

What saith the Scripture? - (In Genesis 21:10 ;): Cast out the bond woman and her son: and what does this imply in the present case? Why, that the present Jerusalem and her children shall be cast out of the favor of God, and shall not be heirs with the son of the free woman - shall not inherit the blessings promised to Abraham, because they believe not in the promised seed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:31

So then - We - Jews and Gentiles, who believe on the Lord Jesus, are not children of the bond woman - are not in subjection to the Jewish law, but of the free; and, consequently, are delivered from all its bondage, obligation, and curse. Thus the apostle, from their own Scripture, explained by their own allegory, proves that it is only by Jesus Christ that they can have redemption; and because they have not believed in him, therefore they continue to be in bondage; and that shortly God... read more

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