But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is 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.
- BSB At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same 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 21:9And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
- Rom 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
- Gal 5:11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
- Matt 23:34–37Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
- Gal 4:23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
- 1 Th 2:14–15For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
- John 3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
- John 15:9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
- Heb 10:33–34Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
- Gal 6:12–14As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
- Rom 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
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
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