Galatians 4:28-31

TEXT 4:28-31

(28) Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise, (29) But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so also it is now. (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. (31) Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.

PARAPHRASE 4:28-31

28 We therefore, brethren, who believe, even though we are not related to Abraham by natural descent, after the manner of Isaac, are children to Abraham and to Sarah by the promise, which made him the father, and her the mother of nations.
29 But even as it happened then, that Ishmael, who was begotten according to the fleshbegotten by the natural strength of his parents, and related to Abraham to natural descent onlypersecuted Isaac, who was begotten according to the Spirit, and resembled his father Abraham in the dispositions of his mind, so also it hath happened now, the Jews the natural seed persecute us the spiritual seed.
30 But what saith the scripture? She said unto Abraham, cast out this bond-woman and her son; for the son of this bond-woman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And God said to Abraham, in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken to her voice: For in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
31 Well then, brethren, it appears from the law itself, that we who by faith are Abraham's sons, are not children of the bond-maid Hagar, but of the free-woman Sarah; and as her children, we are heirs of the promises, although not in bondage to the law.

COMMENT 4:28

Children of promise

1.

Paul is drawing a conclusion that the Gentiles would understand if they were Christian.

2.

The Christian is in the promise to Abraham just as Isaac was.

3.

They are children, not in a genealogical sense but in a spiritual sense.

4.

Three qualities of Isaac:

1.

A promised child. Genesis 17:16

2.

An obedient child. Genesis 22:9

3.

A fruitful child and man. Genesis 25:11

COMMENT 4:29

he that. persecuted him

1.

Ishmael persecuted Isaac.

2.

This persecution refers to Genesis 21:8-9 when Abraham made a great feast the day Isaac was weaned.

3.

On this occasion Sarah caught Ishmael mocking.

him that was born after the Spirit

1.

This refers to the supernatural birth of Isaac.

2.

It reminds us of the statement made to Joseph concerning his wife to beMary. For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20

so it is now

1.

Judaizers were causing trouble in Galatia. See Galatians 2:13.

2.

The Jews made trouble constantly for the Apostles and evangelists.

3.

Jews followed Paul and stirred up trouble.

a.

The Jews stirred up trouble for him in Thessalonica. Acts 17:5-9

b.

The Jews followed him to Berea and stirred up trouble there. Acts 17:11

c.

The Jews mobbed him in the city of Jerusalem. Acts 21:27-33

SPECIAL STUDY

Galatians 4:21-31

SARAH AND HAGAR COMPARED

I.

Mothers

1.

Handmaid

Old CovenantGalatians 4:24

2.

Freewoman

New CovenantGalatians 4:26-31

II.

Sons

1.

Personalities

a.

Ishmael

Jewish persecution of ChristianGalatians 4:29

b.

Isaac

Christian non-retaliation

2.

Births

a.

Ishmael

Natural birthGalatians 4:29

b.

Isaac

Spiritual birthGenesis 18:10; Galatians 4:29

III.

Dispensation

1.

Ishmael

Characteristic of Jews under law in Old Covenant

2.

Isaac

Characteristic of New Covenant

IV.

State

1.

Ishmael

State of bondageGalatians 4:25

2.

Isaac

State of freedomGalatians 4:31

V.

Results

1.

Ishmael

Rejection of JewsGalatians 4:30

2.

Isaac

Acceptance of ChristiansGalatians 4:30

COMMENT 4:30

Howbeit what saith the scripture

1.

This is a good question to ask in any religious problems.

2.

Many preachers run to their creeds and books of discipline instead of to the Scripture.

3.

Paul quotes from Genesis 21:10-12.

Cast out the handmaid and her son

1.

Sarah demanded this as punishment for Ismael's mocking of Isaac. Genesis 21:8-9

2.

Paul is stating that the present Jerusalem and her children shall be cast out and shall not be heirs with the sons of the free woman.

3.

The Jews were rejected because they did not come to God by faith.

4.

This was literally fulfilled in a very physical sense too.

a.

The Jews caused constant trouble for Christians, but it came to an end.

b.

Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D. and like Hagar and Ishmael the Jews were cast out.

for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son

1.

The enemies could fight against scripture but they, like Ishmael, will be driven out of the fellowship of God.

2.

A loss of inheritance should be a challenging word, to answer the Galatians.

the son of the freewoman

1.

The Jew can not inherit with the Christian until he comes by faith into the promise.

2.

We must not go back to the law for it is bondage and loss.

COMMENT 4:31

we are not children of the handmaid

1.

This is plain language.

2.

Why now are the Galatians going back to the children who are cast out and who are bound to lose the inheritance?

but of the freewoman

1.

This is a privilege of birth which we may choose.

2.

The promise of freedom and inheritance should be attractive to all who heed what is written.

STUDY QUESTIONS 4:28-31

557.

Who is the Christian likened unto?

558.

In what way are we children of promise?

559.

Could Gentiles without an Old Testament understand this argument quickly?

560.

Do you suppose that these people had a good knowledge of Abraham before Paul discussed this subject with them? Why?

561.

Can a person be a sincere Jew and have the blessing of Christ?

562.

Who is the he of the verse?

563.

Who is the him of Paul's discussion?

564.

Do we have a record of this persecution?

565.

Who caught Ishmael mocking?

566.

Who had the spiritual birth?

567.

Did Paul observe a similarity in persecution, and what was it?

568.

Were the Jews busy at making trouble for the apostle everywhere?

569.

Is Paul's frequent use of scripture a good example for all religious discussions?

570.

What did Paul quote in this case?

571.

Who did the casting in this case?

572.

Was Paul suggesting that some casting out should take place in Galatia?

573.

Were the Jews eventually cast down by God in Jerusalem?

574.

Is the child of the handmaid cast out forever?

575.

Who is the we referred to here?

576.

Is salvation free to the sons of the freewoman?

577.

Has God made salvation possible for the children of the woman who was cast out?

578.

Do we have the privilege to choose what woman will be our mother spiritually?