CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 4:23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/48_Gal_04_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:23 - Hagar and Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/4-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/4-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm" title="Galatians 4:22">◄</a> Galatians 4:23 <a href="/galatians/4-24.htm" title="Galatians 4:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a> His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But indeed, the one of the slave woman has been born according to flesh, but the one of the free, through the promise, <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise. <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the child of the slave woman was born according to the flesh and had an ordinary birth, while the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of the promise. <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The son of the slave woman was born in the usual way. But the son of the free woman was born because of God's promise. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Now, the son of the slave woman was conceived in a natural way, but the son of the free woman was conceived through a promise [made to Abraham]. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> His son by the slave woman was born in the usual way, but his son by the free woman was born as a result of God's promise. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now the slave woman's son was conceived through human means, while the free woman's son was conceived through divine promise. <a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> But one, the son by the slave woman, was born by natural descent, while the other, the son by the free woman, was born through the promise. <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> However, the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But he who was of the bond-woman, was born according to the flesh; but he of the free-woman was by promise. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But we see that the child of the slave-girl was born in the common course of nature; but the child of the free woman in fulfilment of the promise. <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> but he who [is] of the maidservant has been according to flesh, but he who [is] of the free [woman], through the promise, <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But indeed, the one of the slave woman has been born according to flesh, but the one of the free, through the promise, <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> but he who is of the maid-servant, according to flesh hath been, and he who is of the free-woman, through the promise; <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But he truly of the bondmaid was born according to the flesh; and he of the free through the promise.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he who was of the bondwoman, was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman, was by promise. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he who was of the servant was born according to the flesh. But he who was of the free woman was born by the promise. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But he who was born of the bondmaid was born after the flesh; but he who was born of the freewoman was born by promise. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But he who was from the Maidservant was born of the flesh, but he who was from the Freewoman was by The Promise.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But the one by the bondmaid was born according to the flesh; the other, by the free woman, was by promise. <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But the one indeed of the bond-maid was born according to the flesh, and the one of the freewoman through the promise. <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now the son of the bond-maid was born after the flesh, but that by the free woman was by promise. <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> he, who was of the bond-woman, was born according to the ordinary course of nature; but he, who was of the free-woman, was born by virtue of the promise. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But we see that the child of the slave-girl was born in the common course of nature; but the child of the free woman in fulfilment of the promise. <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But the one by the bond-woman has been born after the flesh; and the one by the free-woman, through promise. <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But he who was of the servant, was born according to the course of nature; whereas the son of the free-woman was by virtue of the promise. <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=885" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Hagar and Sarah</a> …22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23<a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise."></a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Conj) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">His son</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3814.htm" title="3814: paidiskēs (N-GFS) -- A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant.">slave woman</a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gegennētai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">was born</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">according to</a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarka (N-AFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">the flesh,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">his son</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1658.htm" title="1658: eleutheras (Adj-GFS) -- Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt.">free woman</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: di’ (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">was born through</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelias (N-GFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">promise.</a> 24These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-4</a> Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. ... <a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-2</a> Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. <a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9-10</a> But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, / and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-9</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11-12</a> By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Genesis 17:15-19</a> Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah. / And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” / Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” ... <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10-14</a> Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ... <a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-6</a> Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ... <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18-21</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ... <a href="/john/8-33.htm">John 8:33-36</a> “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. ... <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Genesis 15:4-5</a> Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-3</a> When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15-17</a> For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” / The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. / And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13-15</a> When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise. <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But he who was of the female slave was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise.born.<a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7,8</a> Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called… but.<a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Genesis 17:15-19</a> And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be… <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10-14</a> And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him… <a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1,2</a> And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Bondwoman</a> <a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Bond-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Born</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-15.htm">Common</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-5.htm">Course</a> <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Freewoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Free-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Fulfilment</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">However</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">Ordinary</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/galatians/3-5.htm">Result</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Servant-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Slave-Girl</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Undertaking</a> <a href="/galatians/4-17.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Bondwoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Bond-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Born</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Child</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Common</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Course</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/galatians/4-26.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Freewoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-26.htm">Free-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Fulfilment</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">However</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Ordinary</a> <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-9.htm">Result</a> <a href="/galatians/4-25.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Servant-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Slave-Girl</a> <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Undertaking</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div>1. <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.</a> 5. <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a> 7. <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a> 22. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>His son by the slave woman This phrase refers to Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. In the cultural context of the time, it was not uncommon for a barren wife to offer her maidservant to her husband to bear children on her behalf. This practice is documented in <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16</a>. Ishmael's birth was a result of human effort and impatience, as Sarah and Abraham sought to fulfill God's promise of offspring through their own means rather than waiting for God's timing.was born according to the flesh The term "according to the flesh" indicates a natural, human way of achieving something, as opposed to divine intervention. Ishmael's birth was a result of human planning and effort, lacking the miraculous element that characterized the birth of Isaac. This phrase highlights the contrast between human initiative and divine promise, a theme that Paul uses to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living by faith.but his son by the free woman This refers to Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah, unlike Hagar, was a free woman, and her status symbolizes the freedom associated with God's promise. Isaac's birth was miraculous, as Sarah was well past childbearing age, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise through divine intervention rather than human effort. This distinction is crucial in understanding the allegory Paul presents, contrasting the old covenant of the law with the new covenant of grace.was born through the promise Isaac's birth was the result of God's promise to Abraham that he would have a son through Sarah, as recorded in <a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Genesis 17:15-19</a>. This promise was fulfilled despite natural impossibilities, underscoring the power and faithfulness of God. The birth of Isaac serves as a type of Christ, as both were born through divine promise and intervention. This phrase encapsulates the essence of living by faith, trusting in God's promises rather than relying on human effort.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch of the Israelites, whose faith and obedience to God are central themes in the Bible. He is the father of both Ishmael and Isaac. 2. <a href="/topical/h/hagar.htm">Hagar</a> The Egyptian slave woman who bore Abraham's first son, Ishmael. Her account is a significant part of the account of Abraham's family. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a> Abraham's wife, who was initially barren but later bore Isaac, the child of promise, through God's intervention. 4. <a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a> The son of Abraham and Hagar, representing the natural, human effort to fulfill God's promise. 5. <a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a> The son of Abraham and Sarah, representing the fulfillment of God's promise and the line through which God's covenant would continue.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_flesh_vs._the_promise.htm">Understanding the Flesh vs. the Promise</a> The birth of Ishmael represents human effort and reliance on the flesh, while Isaac's birth signifies divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promise. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a> Believers are called to trust in God's promises rather than relying on their own understanding or efforts. This requires patience and faith, as seen in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_inheritance.htm">Spiritual Inheritance</a> Just as Isaac was the child of promise, believers are heirs of God's promises through faith in Christ. This spiritual inheritance is not based on human effort but on God's grace. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> The contrast between Hagar and Sarah symbolizes the difference between living under the law (bondage) and living in the freedom of God's promise through Christ. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_timing.htm">God's Sovereignty and Timing</a> God's promises are fulfilled in His perfect timing, often beyond human understanding or expectation. Trusting in His sovereignty is crucial for spiritual growth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4</a> <a href="/q/what_is_muscular_christianity.htm">What is the meaning of Galatians 3:28?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_galatians_4_22-23_and_genesis_differ.htm">Why does Galatians 4:22-23, referring to Abraham's two sons, contradict other accounts of their significance in Genesis?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_galatians_3_28_erase_distinctions.htm">How does Galatians 3:28's declaration of unity erase cultural, gender, and social distinctions that still seem to persist in both biblical and modern contexts?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_formal_equivalence_translation.htm">How do Christians perceive the significance of Juneteenth?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) But.--Both were alike in being children of Abraham; they were unlike in that one was born naturally, the other by divine instrumentality.Was born.--Strictly, is born--i.e., is stated to have been born, was born as we still read.After the flesh--i.e., in the regular course of nature.By promise.--The birth of Isaac is regarded as due to the direct agency of the promise, The promise itself is conceived of as possessing a creative power. The birth of Isaac was the result of a miraculous intervention. (See <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm" title="And he said, I will certainly return to you according to the time of life; and, see, Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.">Genesis 18:10</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh (ἀλλ ὁ μὲν ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης κατὰ σάρκα γεγέννηται); howbeit the son by the handmaid is shown as born (or, begotten) after the flesh. The ἀλλὰ is strongly adversative; both, indeed, were sons of Abraham, but there was a marked distinction in the way in which they severally came into being. The apostle has evidently in his eye the analogy presented by the natural birth of the Jewish descendants from Abraham, as contrasted with the birth of Abraham's spiritual seed through faith in the promises of the gospel. This point, however, he is content with merely, in vers. 28, 29, glancing at. His main point is the condition of both mother and child in each case, as being either both free or both in bondage. It is not clear whether the apostle by γεγέννηται meant "born" or "begotten," the verb being used in both senses: but neither is it material. The perfect tense of the verb either supposes us to be as it were present at the time of Ishmael's expulsion, in which case it would mean, "hath been born," or is used with reference to the record in the history, meaning in this case "appears in the story as having been born." So the perfect tense is used also in <a href="/hebrews/7-6.htm">Hebrews 7:6</a>, δεδεκάτωκε, εὐλόγηκε, and <a href="/hebrews/10-18.htm">Hebrews 10:18</a>, ἐγκεκαίνισται. "According to the flesh" does not precisely mean "in the common course of torture;" the word "flesh" rather contrasts the present visible sphere of human life with the invisible spiritual world, in much the same way as "flesh" is so often contrasted with "spirit." Ishmael was born "after the flesh," because he was born in the common course of nature; Isaac was born (ver. 28) "after the Spirit," because his birth was connected with the invisible spiritual world "through the promise," which on the one A hand was given by God the great Sovereign of the spiritual world, and on the other was laid hold of and made effectual in that same world of spiritual action by Abraham's and Sarah's faith. But he of the freewoman was by promise (ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας δὶ [Receptus, διὰ τῆς] ἐπαγγελίας); but the son by the freewoman through a promise (or, through the promise). If the article before ἐπαγγελίας be retained, it is to be taken as pointing to the well-known promise made by the Lord to Abraham, both in the night in which God made a covenant with him (<a href="/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15</a>.). and afresh, in a more definite form, on the eve of the destruction of Sodom (<a href="/genesis/18.htm">Genesis 18</a>.). This promise was the means of Isaac's being born, calling forth as it did an acting of faith in God, both in Abraham (<a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Romans 4:17-21</a>), and likewise in Sarah (<a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11</a>), in consideration of which the Almighty beyond the course of nature gave them this child. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>His [son] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. by ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. slave woman παιδίσκης (paidiskēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3814.htm">Strong's 3814: </a> A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant. was born γεγέννηται (gegennētai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. according to κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). [the] flesh, σάρκα (sarka) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. [but] δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. [his son] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. by ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. free [woman] ἐλευθέρας (eleutheras) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1658.htm">Strong's 1658: </a> Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt. [was born] because of δι’ (di’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. promise. ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:23 However the son by the handmaid was (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 4:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>