At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.
Parallel translations
- WEB But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
- KJV But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
- 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.
- NASB But as at that time the son who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so it is even now.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, so those born of the flesh persecute those born of the Spirit. Paul explains the opposition believers face from advocates of law-righteousness.
Overview
Drawing on Genesis, where Ishmael mocked Isaac, Paul sees a pattern: the children of fleshly religion oppose the children of grace. The Galatians' persecution by the legalists fits this ancient pattern. The verse prepares believers to expect hostility from those who trust in works, while assuring them they stand among the children of the Spirit.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Gen 21:9But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,
- Rom 8:13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Gal 5:11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
- Matt 23:34–37Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town.
- Gal 4:23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
- 1 Th 2:14–15For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
- John 3:5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
- John 15:9As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love.
- Heb 10:33–34Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
- Gal 6:12–14Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
- Rom 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the law's curse, that we might receive the Spirit and be sons — justified by faith in him, not by works.
How Galatians 4:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.