Galatians 4:29 kjv
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Galatians 4:29 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.
Galatians 4:29 niv
At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
Galatians 4:29 esv
But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Galatians 4:29 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.
Galatians 4 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 4:29 | "But just as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, it is the same now." | Directly allegorizes spiritual conflict |
| Genesis 21:9 | "Sarah saw that the son born to Hagar the Egyptian to Abraham was laughing at Isaac." | Ishmael's mockery of Isaac |
| Genesis 16:1-2, 15 | Sarah's attempt to have a child through Hagar | Human effort vs. God's promise |
| Genesis 17:18-19 | God's promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah | God's sovereign plan |
| Romans 9:8 | "This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." | Children of promise vs. flesh |
| Romans 9:7-13 | Distinction between Abraham's sons Isaac and Ishmael | Predestination and election |
| 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 | "The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit." | Contrast spiritual and natural |
| John 3:6 | "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." | Spiritual regeneration |
| John 1:13 | "who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." | Divine birth by will of God |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to put you to the test, as though something strange were happening to you." | Facing persecution joyfully |
| Matthew 5:10-12 | "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Blessings for persecution |
| 2 Timothy 3:12 | "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." | Universal persecution of believers |
| Philippians 3:3 | "For we are the true circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh." | Confidence in Spirit, not flesh |
| Colossians 3:11 | "...Christ is all, and in all." | Unity in Christ across divisions |
| Acts 7:51 | "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you." | Resisting the Spirit |
| Hebrews 12:14 | "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." | Seeking peace and holiness |
| Ephesians 4:30 | "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." | Grieving the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:19 | "Do not quench the Spirit." | Not hindering the Spirit's work |
| Galatians 5:16-17 | "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." | Conflict between flesh and Spirit |
| Galatians 4:22-23 | The allegorical explanation of Abraham's sons | Establishing the allegorical basis |
Galatians 4 verses
Galatians 4 29 Meaning
The verse describes the experience of Isaac, born through the power of the Holy Spirit, being persecuted by Ishmael, who was born according to the flesh. This illustrates a spiritual principle: those born of God's Spirit face opposition from those living according to human nature and worldly ways. Persecution arises not from inherent sin, but from the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world.
Galatians 4 29 Context
This verse is part of Galatians 4:21-31, where Paul uses the allegory of Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac, to explain the difference between law-based salvation and faith-based salvation. The Galatian believers, influenced by Judaizers, were seeking to be justified by following the Law. Paul argues that true spiritual lineage and freedom come from faith in Christ, paralleled by Isaac's birth as the son of promise, not through adherence to the Law, paralleled by Ishmael's birth according to the flesh. This specific verse is the conclusion of this argument, drawing a parallel between the historical persecution of Isaac by Ishmael and the ongoing spiritual persecution faced by believers in Christ from those who rely on the flesh and the Law. The persecution mentioned reflects the opposition and antagonism from those who live under the “fleshly” principle, contrasting with the “spiritual” principle of those born of faith.
Galatians 4 29 Word Analysis
δὲ (de): Conjunction, meaning "but," "and," "moreover." Used here to introduce a contrasting statement, linking the present experience of the Galatians to the past narrative.
ὥσπερ (hōsper): Adverb, meaning "just as," "even as." Introduces a comparison.
ὁ (ho): Definite article, masculine singular nominative. Refers to the specific person born according to the flesh.
κατὰ (kata): Preposition, meaning "according to," "down," "against." Indicates the manner or principle by which someone is born or acts.
σάρκα (sarka): Noun, accusative singular of σάρξ (sarx), meaning "flesh." Refers to the human nature, biological generation, or that which is based on worldly and sinful tendencies, in contrast to the Spirit.
γεννηθεὶς (gennētheis): Participle, aorist passive indicative, masculine nominative singular, from γεννάω (gennaō), meaning "to beget," "to bear." Describes being born in the flesh.
τότε (tote): Adverb, meaning "then," "at that time." Points to the specific historical moment of Ishmael's birth and interaction with Isaac.
ἐδίωκεν (edīōken): Verb, imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular, from διώκω (diōkō), meaning "to persecute," "to pursue." Implies ongoing action in the past, suggesting persistent harassment.
τὸν (ton): Definite article, masculine singular accusative. Refers to the specific person born according to the Spirit.
κατὰ (kata): Preposition, same as above, "according to."
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma): Noun, accusative singular of πνεῦμα (pneuma), meaning "Spirit" or "spirit." Refers here to the Holy Spirit, the divine principle of new birth and life in Christ.
γεννηθεὶς (gennētheis): Participle, same as above, aorist passive indicative, masculine nominative singular, from γεννάω (gennaō), meaning "to beget," "to bear." Describes being born of the Spirit.
οὕτως (houtōs): Adverb, meaning "so," "thus," "in this way." Indicates that the current situation parallels the past one.
καὶ (kai): Conjunction, meaning "and." Connects the first part of the comparison to the second.
νῦν (nun): Adverb, meaning "now." Refers to the present time of the Galatian believers.
Words Group Analysis:
- "ὁ κατὰ σάρκα γεννηθεὶς" (ho kata sarka gennētheis): "he who was born according to the flesh." This phrase signifies birth by natural human means, referencing Ishmael, and by extension, all who live by human effort, self-reliance, and the dictates of the old nature.
- "τὸν κατὰ Πνεῦμα γεννηθεὶς" (ton kata Pneuma gennētheis): "him who was born according to the Spirit." This phrase signifies birth by supernatural divine action, referencing Isaac, and by extension, all believers born anew through the Holy Spirit.
- "ἐδίωκεν ... οὕτως καὶ νῦν" (edīōken ... houtōs kai nun): "persecuted ... so also now." This connects the past action of persecution (Ishmael toward Isaac) with the present experience of believers (those of the flesh against those of the Spirit). The imperfect tense "edīōken" suggests a continuous, ongoing action of persecution in Ishmael's behavior towards Isaac.
Galatians 4 29 Bonus Section
The Greek word "pneuma" (Spirit) in the New Testament can refer to the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, or even demonic spirits. In this context, "pneuma" clearly refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine agent of regeneration, in contrast to "sarx" (flesh), representing the old, natural humanity. The specific Hebrew background to Isaac's persecution is found in Genesis 21:9, where Sarah "saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking." This "mocking" (Hebrew: metzachek) is interpreted by Paul as a form of persecution. The Hebrew root tzachak also implies "laughter" or "playing," but in the context of the ongoing tension between Isaac and Ishmael, it escalates to something hostile and abusive, hence the translation "persecuted." This connection emphasizes that even in childhood, the conflict between the two spiritual lineages was evident. The spiritual birth, symbolized by Isaac, is inherently an object of opposition for the fleshly birth, symbolizing dependence on human efforts and promises.
Galatians 4 29 Commentary
This verse powerfully contrasts two opposing principles of life and heritage. It highlights that the spiritual life is not exempt from hardship; in fact, it is often characterized by opposition from those who operate on a carnal or legalistic basis. The persecution Isaac faced from Ishmael foreshadows the reality that believers, being children of the promise born of the Spirit, will encounter antagonism from those still bound by the flesh and worldly systems. This antagonism is not random but is an inherent outworking of the spiritual conflict described throughout Scripture. Paul uses this analogy to urge the Galatians not to return to bondage under the Law, reminding them of the spiritual warfare they are engaged in. Their experience of persecution should affirm their true spiritual identity, not cause them to abandon faith in Christ.