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.
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.
- 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.
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 21:9Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.
- Rom 8:13For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Gal 5:11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.
- Matt 23:34–37Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
- Gal 4:23However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
- 1 Th 2:14–15For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;
- John 3:5Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.
- John 15:9Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.
- Heb 10:33–34partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.
- Gal 6:12–14As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
- Rom 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to 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
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.