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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• 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.

Context of Galatians 4:29

27For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear children; break forth and shout, you who have no birth pains, because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.” 28But you, brothers and sisters, are children of the promise like Isaac. But just as at that time the one born by natural descent persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so it is now. 30But what does the scripture say? “Throw out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the son” of the free woman. 31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman 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 noticed the son of Hagar the Egyptian – the son whom Hagar had borne to Abraham – mocking.
• John 3:5Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
• John 15:9“Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love.
• Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
• Galatians 5:11Now, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
• Galatians 6:12Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
• Matthew 23:34“For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:14For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,
• Hebrews 10:33At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way.

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