Galatians 4:29

Galatians 4:29 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
• New International Version (NIV)At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit.

Context of Galatians 4:29

27For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband." 28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." 31So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Galatians 4:29 word by word

ἀλλ᾽ ὥσπερ τότε ὁ κατὰ σάρκα γεννηθεὶς ἐδίωκεν τὸν κατὰ πνεῦμα οὕτως καὶ νῦν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• asὥσπερhōsper · just asG5618
• thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• he thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• was bornγεννάωgennaō · to begetG1080
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• persecutedδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• the Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• nowνῦνnun · nowG3568

Cross-references for Galatians 4:29

• Genesis 21:9But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.
• John 3:5Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
• John 15:9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
• Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
• Galatians 5:11But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
• Galatians 6:12It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
• Matthew 23:34Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:14For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
• Hebrews 10:33sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

Commentaries on Galatians 4:29

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 29But 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 29But 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 Genesis 21:9, where it is said that “Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28-31Verses 28-31 The history thus explained is applied. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. If the privileges of all believers were so great, according to the new covenant, how absurd for the Gentile converts to be under that law, which could not deliver the unbelieving Jews from bondage or condemnation! We should not have found out this allegory in the history of Sarah and Hagar, if it had not been shown to us, yet we…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 29Isaac was the promised child. During his weaning celebration, Ishmael treated Isaac badly (see Genesis 21:9). Similarly, in Galatia, people who insisted on following the law were treating badly those who trusted in God's promise, the message of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (compare Acts 13:50–51; 14:1–7).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2929. persecuted--Ishmael "mocked" Isaac, which contained in it the germ and spirit of persecution (Ge 21:9). His mocking was probably directed against Isaac's piety and faith in God's promises. Being the older by natural birth, he haughtily prided himself above him that was born by promise: as Cain hated Abel's piety. him ... born after the Spirit--The language, though referring primarily to Isaac, born in a spiritual way (namely, by the promise or word of…Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 4:29

• Abraham
• Justification
• Parables
• Persecution
• Regeneration

In the dictionaries

• Doubt
• Flesh
• Observe
• Sarah
• Zealously
• Abraham
• Allegory
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Ishmael (1)
• Pauline Theology

Commentaries on Galatians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings