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NASB | Galatians 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Galatians 4:29 But as at that time the child [of ordinary birth] born according to the flesh persecuted the son who was born according to [the promise and working of] the Spirit, so it is now also. [Gen 21:9] |
Bible Question:
Whe I read this verse, I immediately think of Christ. RE: "him who was born according to the Spirit" , Who is him? IMO, the conclusion of the verse, "so it is now also." is referencing the reality of the ongoing persecution of believers Jesus warned us (John 15:20) would accompany our faith in Him. Comments? (Ray - your comments here would be appreciated.) |
Bible Answer: Hi Mommapbs, I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about this. I leave the "him" occurances in the lower case because I believe that they are referring to Ishmael and Isaac. MacArthur Study Bible notes: 4:29 he who was born according to the flesh. Ishmael. persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit. Isaac, whom Ishmael mocked at the feast celebrating Isaac's weaning (see Gen. 21:8,9). even so it is now. Ishmael's descendants (Arabs) have always persecuted Isaac's (Jews). So unbelievers have always persecuted believers (cf.Matt. 5:11, 10:22-25; John 15:19,20; 16:2,33; 17:14; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 3:12; Heb. 11:32-37; 1 Pet. 2:20,21; 3:14; 4:12-14). End of quote. 1) I think that instead of dealing with persecution, the verse 28 is dealing with the contrast of being born of the flesh and according to the Spirit. When considering the verse in the past, I considered a lower case spirit rather than looking at the pronouns for Ishmael and Isaac. I kept the Spirit in the upper case even though Isaac wasn't born according to the Spirit as much as Christ was born of the Holy Spirit as you have pointed out. I considered a lower case "spirit" for verse 29 because I have chosen to pencil in a lower case "spirit" for John 3:8 for instance and being born of the spirit. But I have kept a capitalized Spirit for verse 29 because "we through the Spirit/, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness". Galatians 5:5 I sometimes pencil in a Spirit in place of a lower case spirit as in Philippians 1:27, "...standing firm in one Spirit/, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" 2) I have compared some verses in the past with Galatians 4:29. These are Romans 8:11, Ephesians 3:16, Galatians 4:7, Galatians 3:26. 3) Romans 8:10, "If **Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness." Galatians 4:19, "My children, with whom I am again in labor until **Christ is formed in you--" Mommapbs, I am happy to see you looking at pronouns with an eye for interpretting the Scriptures correctly. From the heart, Ray |