Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
Human Effort vs. Divine Promise
Commentators unanimously highlight the contrast Paul draws. Ishmael was born 'after the flesh'—through natural human ability and in the ordinary course of nature. In contrast, Isaac was born 'by promise'—a miraculous act of God's power when his parents were biologically unable to have children.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Galatians
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On Galatians 4:23
18th Century
Theologian
But he who was of the bond-woman was born after the flesh. This occurred in the ordinary course of nature, without any special promise or …
AT Robertson
On Galatians 4:23
Is born (γεγεννητα). Perfect passive indicative of γενναω, stand on record so.
Through promise (δι' επαγγε…
Charles Ellicott
On Galatians 4:23
19th Century
Bishop
But.—Both were alike in being children of Abraham; they were unlike in that one was born naturally, the other by divine instrument…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On Galatians 4:23
19th Century
Preacher
But he of the freewoman was by promise.
In the power of God, born after both father and mother had ceased to be capable of becoming …
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Galatians 4:23
There were two main differences between these sons. (1) They were born of different mothers (v.22); one was a free woman, the other a slave. This, …
John Calvin
On Galatians 4:23
16th Century
Theologian
But he who was of the bond woman.
Both were sons of Abraham according to the flesh; but in Isaac there was this peculiarity, that h…
John Gill
On Galatians 4:23
17th Century
Pastor
But he who was of the bondwoman
Ishmael, who was begotten and born of Hagar,
was born after the f…
Matthew Henry
On Galatians 4:21–27
17th Century
Minister
The difference between believers who rested in Christ only, and those who trusted in the law, is explained by the histories of Isaac and Ishmael. T…