BibleWord.ai› Bible› Galatians› Chapter 4› Verse 28

Galatians 4:28

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 4:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
Galatians 4:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.
26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.
28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, so also it is now.
30Howbeit 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.
31Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.
← Galatians 4:27Galatians 4:29 →
← Full Chapter 4 Galatians Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, etc..] The Ethiopic version reads, “you, brethren”; and so one of Stephens's copies. As the two women, Hagar and Sarah, might be, and are allegorized; so likewise their respective offspring. Isaac signified, and was a type and figure of Abraham's spiritual seed, whether Jews or Gentiles, under the Gospel dispensation: and as he was, so they are, the children of promise; as Isaac was promised unto Abraham, so were this spiritual seed, when it was said unto him, that he should be the father of many nations, as he is the father of us all, even of all them that believe, be they of what nation soever; and as Isaac was born by virtue, and in consequence of a promise…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“we--The oldest manuscripts and versions are divided between "we" and "ye." "We" better accords with Gal 4:26, "mother of us." children of promise--not children after the flesh, but through the promise (Gal 4:23, Gal 4:29, Gal 4:31). "We are" so, and ought to wish to continue so.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Now we, brethren - We who are Christians. Are the children of the promise - We so far resemble Isaac, that there are great and precious promises made to us. We are not in the condition of Ishmael, to whom no promise was made. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now we - Who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles. Are children of the promise - Not born in a natural way, but by the supernatural power of God. And as such we are heirs of the promise made to believing Abraham. Galatians 4:29”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:28-31 Paul applies the allegory of Hagar and Sarah (4:21-27) to the situation in Galatia. Isaac represents those who are born through God’s promise (3:8) by the power of the Spirit (3:2-5; cp. Eph 1:13-14) and who trust in God for salvation through Christ by faith alone. Ishmael represents those who believe that human effort by keeping the law will make them acceptable to God (Gal 3:10-11). This identification would have been shocking to the Judaizers, who thought of themselves as the legitimate children of Abraham because of their insistence on law-keeping.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gal 4:23, Gal 3:29; Act 3:25; Rom 4:13-18, Rom 9:8, Rom 9:9 Galatians 4:29”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Galatians 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification