Galatians 4:29

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 4:29

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:29

Verse 29 29.As then, he that was born after the flesh. He denounces the cruelty of the false apostles, who wantonly insulted pious persons that placed all their confidence in Christ. There was abundant need that the uneasiness of the oppressed should be soothed by consolation, and that the cruelty of their oppressors should be severely checked. It is not wonderful, he says, that the children of the law, at the present day, do what Ishmael their father at first did, who, trusting to his being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:21-31

The allegory of Hagar. Writing to men who were unduly subservient to the Jewish Law, St. Paul clenches his argument with an appeal to what he regards as the typical meaning of the history contained in that very Law. This was an argumentum ad homines. It is important, when possible, to convince men on their own ground. Among believers in Scripture, arguments are naturally drawn from Scripture, Only it is necessary to bear in mind that there are different "views ' of Scripture; so that we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:29

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit ( ἀλλ ὥσπερ τότε ὁ κατὰ σάρκα γεννηθεὶς ἐδίωκε τὸν κατὰ πνεῦμα ). (For the phrase, "after," or "according to, the Spirit," see note on Galatians 4:23 .) It must be conceded that the apostle somewhat strains the expression in applying it to the case of Isaac; but he does it for the purpose of exhibiting the manner of his birth as homogeneous with that of his antitypes; for these are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:29

But as then he that was born after the flesh - Ishmael; see Galatians 4:23.Persecuted him that was born after the Spirit - That is, Isaac. The phrase, “after the Spirit,” here, is synonymous with “according to the promise” in the previous verse. It stands opposed to the phrase “after the flesh,” and means that his birth was by the special or miraculous agency of God; see Romans 4:0. It was not in the ordinary course of events. The persecution here referred to, was the injurious treatment which... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 4:28-30

Galatians 4:28-30. Now That I may apply what has just been advanced to ourselves; we, brethren Who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles; as Isaac was Κατα Ισαακ , after the manner of Isaac; are children of promise Are children of God, being children of Abraham and Sarah, by the promise which made him the father, and her the mother, of nations. In other words, we are children, not born in a natural way, but by the supernatural power of God; and as such, we are heirs of the promise made to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:21-31

Example of Hagar and Sarah (4:21-31)Paul now attacks the Judaisers by using a form of argument that they themselves liked to use. He returns to the story of Abraham to show that law-keeping is slavery and it cannot be mixed with grace. (For the background to the illustration that follows read Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-21.) Abraham had two sons, Ishmael, who was born as a result of human arrangements that lacked any exercise of faith, and... read more

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