Galatians 4:23

διʼ ἐπαγγελίας אAC. διὰ τῆς ἐπ. Text. Rec. and W.H. marg. with BDG etc.

23. ἀλλʼ. There was a further difference between the two sons of the one father.

κατὰ σάρκα. In accordance with the natural impulses of the flesh.

γεγἐννηται. The perfect means either “stands in Scripture as so horn,” or, better, “still exists” (in the persons of unbelieving Jews). Contrast the aorist, Galatians 4:29.

διʼ ἐπαγγελίας, Galatians 3:18, “by promise,” possibly “by a promise.” Flesh as such was powerless. Promise, nothing less, was the means by which Sarah was enabled to bear Isaac. The article of W.H. marg. recalls the actual promise. Chrysostom gives the sense of the phrase in saying: ὁ μὴ κατὰ σάρκα τοῦ κατὰ σάρκα γεννηθέντος τιμιώτερος ἦν.

St Paul has now stated two differences between the two sons of Abraham. Ishmael was (a) of the servant, (b) after the flesh; Isaac was (a) of the freewoman, (b) by means of promise. He first deals with (a) in Galatians 4:24; and then mentions (b) in Galatians 4:28, not dwelling on this at length, for he has already done so in c. 3.