Galatian 4:23

Galatians 4:23

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

a. NLT: The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.

b. NIV: His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

c. YLT: but he who is of the maid-servant, according to flesh hath been, and he who is of the free-woman, through the promise;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But whereas the child of the slave woman was born according to the flesh and had an ordinary birth, the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of the promise.

e. Worrell Translation: But the one by the bond-woman has been born after the flesh; and the one by the free-woman, through promise.

1. “But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh…”

a. But [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of G243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):—and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. he [3303 * men] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (this one, the former, etc.):—even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

c. who was of [1537 * ek] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):—after, among, × are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), +grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, × hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, × thenceforth, through, × unto, × vehemently, with(-out).]

d. the bondwoman [3814 * paisiske] [Strong: feminine diminutive of G3816; a girl, i.e. (specially), a female slave or servant:—bondmaid(-woman), damsel, maid(-en).]

e. was born [1080 * gennao] [Strong: from a variation of G1085; to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate:—bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.]

f. after [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):—about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) × alone, among, and, × apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), × aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, +covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, × more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, × natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) × own,+ particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), × uttermost, where(-by), with.]

g. the flesh [4561 * sarx] [Strong: probably from the base of G4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):—carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

1). Abraham and Sarah attempted to fulfill God’s promise to them in their own strength, they wanted to help God out. Their attempt was after the flesh.

a). Genesis 16:1-3 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

16:3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

2. “…but he of the freewoman was by promise.”

a. but [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

b. he of [1537 * ek] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):—after, among, × are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), +grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, × hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, × thenceforth, through, × unto, × vehemently, with(-out).]

c. the freewoman [1658 * eleutheros] [Strong:  probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability):—free (man, woman), at liberty.]

d. was by [1223 * dia] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):—after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, × though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in).]

e. promise [1860 * epangelía] [Strong: from G1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):—message, promise.]

1). Isaac’s birth was by God’s promise (Genesis 12:1-2; 12:7; 13:14-17;15:18-21) and fulfilled miraculously Genesis 17:15-21; Romans 4:17-21).

a). Genesis 21:1-3 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.