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Selected Verse: Galatians 4:23 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ga 4:23 |
Strong Concordance |
But [235] he [3303] who was of [1537] the bondwoman [3814] was born [1080] after [2596] the flesh [4561]; but [1161] he of [1537] the freewoman [1658] was by [1223] promise [1860]. |
| |
King James |
But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| after the flesh--born according to the usual course of nature: in contrast to Isaac, who was born "by virtue of the promise" (so the Greek), as the efficient cause of Sarah's becoming pregnant out of the course of nature (Rom 4:19). Abraham was to lay aside all confidence in the flesh (after which Ishmael was born), and to live by faith alone in the promise (according to which Isaac was miraculously born, contrary to all calculations of flesh and blood). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh - In the ordinary course of nature, without any special promise, or any unusual divine interposition, as in the case of Isaac.
But he of the free woman ... - The birth of Isaac was in accordance with a special promise, and by a remarkable divine interposition; see Gen 18:10; Gen 21:1-2; Heb 11:11-12; compare the notes at Rom 4:19-21. The idea here of Paul is, that the son of the slave was in a humble and inferior condition from his very birth. There was no special promise attending him. He was born into a state of inferiority and servitude which attended him through his whole life. Isaac, however, was met with promises as soon as he was born, and was under the benefit of those promises as long as he lived. The object of Paul is, to state the truth in regard to a condition of servitude and slavery. It is attended with evils from beginning to end; from the birth to the grave. By this illustration he means to show them the folly of becoming the voluntary slaves of the Law after they had once been made free. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Was born (γεγέννηται)
Has been born, or is born: perfect tense, treating the historical fact as if present.
After the flesh (κατὰ σάρκα)
According to the regular course of nature. Very common in Paul.
By promise (δἰ ἐπαγγελίας)
Most editors retain the article, the promise of Gen 17:16, Gen 17:19; Gen 18:10. Comp. Rom 9:9. In virtue of the promise; for according to natural conditions he would not have been born. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Was born after the flesh - In a natural way. By promise - Through that supernatural strength which was given Abraham in consequence of the promise. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Was born after the flesh - Ishmael was born according to the course of nature, his parents being both of a proper age, so that there was nothing uncommon or supernatural in his birth: this is the proper meaning of the apostle's κατα σαρκα, after or according to the flesh, and answers to the Hebrew phrase, על דרך בשר al derec basar, according to the manner of the flesh, i.e. naturally, according to the common process of nature.
By promise - Both Abraham and Sarah had passed that age in which the procreation of children was possible on natural principles. The birth, therefore, of Isaac was supernatural; it was the effect of an especial promise of God; and it was only on the ground of that promise that it was either credible or possible. |
19 And [2532] being not [3361] weak [770] in faith [4102], he considered [2657] not [3756] his own [1438] body [4983] now [2235] dead [3499], when he was [5225] about [4225] an hundred years old [1541], neither yet [2532] the deadness [3500] of Sara's [4564] womb [3388]:
19 And [2532] being not [3361] weak [770] in faith [4102], he considered [2657] not [3756] his own [1438] body [4983] now [2235] dead [3499], when he was [5225] about [4225] an hundred years old [1541], neither yet [2532] the deadness [3500] of Sara's [4564] womb [3388]:
20 [1161] He staggered [1252] not [3756] at [1519] the promise [1860] of God [2316] through unbelief [570]; but [235] was strong [1743] in faith [4102], giving [1325] glory [1391] to God [2316];
21 And [2532] being fully persuaded [4135] that [3754], what [3739] he had promised [1861], he was [2076] able [1415] also [2532] to perform [4160].
11 Through faith [4102] also [2532] Sara [4564] herself [846] received [2983] strength [1411] to [1519] conceive [2602] seed [4690], and [2532] was delivered of a child [5088] when she was past [3844] age [2540] [2244], because [1893] she judged [2233] him faithful [4103] who had promised [1861].
12 Therefore [1352] sprang there [1080] even [2532] of [575] one [1520], and [2532] him [5023] as good as dead [3499], so many as [2531] the stars [798] of the sky [3772] in multitude [4128], and [2532] as [5616] the sand [285] which [3588] is by [3844] the sea [2281] shore [5491] innumerable [382].
1 And the LORD [03068] visited [06485] Sarah [08283] as he had said [0559], and the LORD [03068] did [06213] unto Sarah [08283] as he had spoken [01696].
2 For Sarah [08283] conceived [02029], and bare [03205] Abraham [085] a son [01121] in his old age [02208], at the set time [04150] of which God [0430] had spoken [01696] to him.
10 And he said [0559], I will certainly [07725] return [07725] unto thee according to the time [06256] of life [02416]; and, lo, Sarah [08283] thy wife [0802] shall have a son [01121]. And Sarah [08283] heard [08085] it in the tent [0168] door [06607], which was behind him [0310].
9 For [1063] this [3778] is the word [3056] of promise [1860], At [2596] this [5126] time [2540] will I come [2064], and [2532] Sara [4564] shall have [2071] a son [5207].
10 And he said [0559], I will certainly [07725] return [07725] unto thee according to the time [06256] of life [02416]; and, lo, Sarah [08283] thy wife [0802] shall have a son [01121]. And Sarah [08283] heard [08085] it in the tent [0168] door [06607], which was behind him [0310].
19 And God [0430] said [0559], Sarah [08283] thy wife [0802] shall bear [03205] thee a son [01121] indeed [061]; and thou shalt call [07121] his name [08034] Isaac [03327]: and I will establish [06965] my covenant [01285] with him for an everlasting [05769] covenant [01285], and with his seed [02233] after him [0310].
16 And I will bless [01288] her, and give [05414] thee a son [01121] also of her: yea, I will bless [01288] her, and she shall be a mother of nations [01471]; kings [04428] of people [05971] shall be of her.