4:29

In 4:29, Paul used a story from the Old Testament to represent what was happening in Galatia. The story from the Old Testament is about Abraham’s two sons Ishmael and Isaac. He called Ishmael “the son born according to the flesh.” Ishmael represents the false teachers. Ishmael persecuted Isaac, who was born “by the Spirit.” In the same way, the false teachers were persecuting the believers in Galatia.

In some languages, it may be more natural to make parts of this verse explicit. Compare the Berean Standard Bible and the New Living Translation (2004) below.

a At that time, however, b the son born by the flesh c persecuted the son born by the Spirit. d It is the same now. (Berean Standard Bible)

d But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, a just as Ishmael, b the child born by human effort, c persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. (New Living Translation (2004))

4:29a

At that time: This phrase introduces a comparison between what happened at the time of Isaac and what was happening in Galatia.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Just like at that time
-or-
And what happened then
-or-
just as at that time (English Standard Version)

however: There is some contrast between 4:28 and 4:29. The contrast is between the way we would expect people to treat the children of promise and the way they actually treat them. The Greek indicates this contrast with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as however.

Another way to introduce 4:29 is:

But

Many English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

4:29b

the son born by the flesh: This clause refers to Abraham’s son Ishmael. He was the son of Hagar. Here Ishmael represents the false teachers.

The phrase by the flesh refers to the fact that the child was conceived and born in the normal, human way. Abraham tried to fulfill God’s promise on his own. He did that by taking the slave woman Hagar and having a child with her. It is the same phrase that Paul used in 4:23a.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The son who was born in the normal way (New Century Version)
-or-
he who was born in a human attempt to fulfill God’s promise
-or-
the son of Hagar who was born because of the plan of people
-or-
the one who had only a natural birth

See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary for more information.

4:29c

persecuted: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as persecuted means “cause to suffer.”

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

made trouble (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
treated…badly (New Century Version)
-or-
caused to suffer
-or-
was cruel to

This verb also occurs in 1:13b

the son born by the Spirit: This clause refers to Isaac. Here Isaac represents the believers in Galatia.

The phrase by the Spirit refers to the fact that Isaac was born because of God’s promise to Abraham. God’s Spirit allowed the elderly Sarah to become pregnant. Believers, who are also children of the promise, receive life through God’s Spirit.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

him who was born because of ?the work of? the Spirit
-or-
him who was born by means ?of the power/help? of God’s Spirit
-or-
Isaac, the one who came by means of the Spirit fulfilling God’s promise

the Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

the Holy Spirit
-or-
the Spirit of God

See Spirit, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

4:29d

It is the same now: This clause states that the situation between Ishmael and Isaac was similar to the situation in Galatia. The Galatian believers, like Isaac, were persecuted by those who were slaves to the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

That’s exactly what’s happening now. (God’s Word)
-or-
The same thing is happening today. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
It is the same today. (New Century Version)
-or-
It’s just like that now.

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this phrase with 4:29a. For example:

a What happened then d is like what is happening now.

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