Galatians 4:23

Translations

Modern

His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

Traditional

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Literal

But indeed, the one of the slave woman has been born according to flesh, but the one of the free woman through the promise,

Latin

Sed qui de ancilla, secundum carnem natus est: qui autem de libera, per repromissionem:

Original

Greek

English

His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

Notes

Galatians 4:22–23

Ishmael was the son of the slave woman, Hagar. She was Sarah's servant (see Genesis 16:15). Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, trying to get the heir God promised through human efforts (see Genesis 16:1 –4). Isaac, Sarah's son, was born to the free woman (see Genesis 21:2 –3). God did something miraculous to help Sarah have this baby. This fulfilled God's promise (see Genesis 17:15 –21).

Galatians 4:21–31

Paul now returns to using Scripture to support his argument. He tells the story of two of Abraham's wives, Hagar and Sarah, and their children. He uses this story to show the difference between two types of people: those who are like slaves because they try to follow all the laws, and those who are free because they belong to Christ.
Paul uses a special way of explaining Bible stories (called allegory) that Jewish teachers used in those days (see study note on 4:24). Paul was trained as a rabbi (see Acts 22:3) and could effectively debate the Judaizers using their own methods.

Theme notes and profiles

Hagar Isaac Ishmael Paul (Saul) Sarah God’s Covenants

Related verses

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.
Romans 9:7–8
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
Genesis 21:1–2
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised.
Galatians 4:28–29
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
Genesis 18:10–14
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
Genesis 17:15–19
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah.
Romans 4:18–21
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

Galatians 4:23

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