Galatians 4:29

“But as then, etc..] In the times of Abraham, when Hagar and Sarah, the types of the two dispensations of the covenant, and Ishmael and Isaac, the figures of the two different seeds, the natural and spiritual seed of Abraham, legalists and true believers, were living: he that was born after the flesh; which was Ishmael, who was a type, or an allegorical representation of such who were under the Sinai covenant, and were seeking for righteousness by the works of the law; as he was born after the flesh, according to the ordinary course of nature, and was, as he was born, a carnal man; so are self-justiciaries, notwithstanding all their pretensions to religion and righteousness, just as they were…”

“persecuted--Ishmael "mocked" Isaac, which contained in it the germ and spirit of persecution (Gen 21:9). His mocking was probably directed against Isaac's piety and faith in God's promises. Being the older by natural birth, he haughtily prided himself above him that was born by promise: as Cain hated Abel's piety. him . . . born after the Spirit--The language, though referring primarily to Isaac, born in a spiritual way (namely, by the promise or word of God, rendered by His Spirit efficient out of the course of nature, in making Sarah fruitful in old age), is so framed as especially to refer to believers justified by Gospel grace through faith, as opposed to carnal men, Judaizers, and…”

“But as then he that was born after the flesh - Ishmael; see Galatians 4:23. Persecuted him that was born after the Spirit - That is, Isaac. The phrase, “after the Spirit,” here, is synonymous with “according to the promise” in the previous verse. It stands opposed to the phrase “after the flesh,” and means that his birth was by the special or miraculous agency of God; see Romans 4:0. It was not in the ordinary course of events. The persecution here referred to, was the injurious treatment which Isaac received from Ishmael, or the opposition which subsisted between them. The particular reference of Paul is doubtless to Genesis 21:9, where it is said that “Sarah saw the son of Hagar the…”

“But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so it is now also - And so it will be in all ages and nations to the end of the world. Galatians 4:30”

“4:29 Ishmael persecuted Isaac, the child of the promise, at Isaac’s weaning ceremony (see Gen 21:9). Similarly, in Galatia, those who want you to keep the law were persecuting those who trusted in God’s promise, the message of God’s grace through faith in Christ alone (cp. Acts 13:50-51; 14:1-7).”

“he that: Gen 21:9 after the Spirit: Joh 3:5, Joh 15:9; Rom 8:1, Rom 8:13 even: Gal 5:11, Gal 6:12-14; Mat 23:34-37; Th1 2:14, Th1 2:15; Heb 10:33, Heb 10:34 Galatians 4:30”