Galatians 4:30
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But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
gal 4:30Gen 21:10, Gen 21:12, where Sarah's words are, "shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." But what was there said literally, is here by inspiration expressed in its allegorical spiritual import, applying to the New Testament believer, who is antitypically "the son of the free woman." In Joh 8:35-36, Jesus refers to this. Cast out--from the house and inheritance: literally, Ishmael; spiritually, the carnal and legalists. shall not be heir--The Greek is stronger, "must not be heir," or "inherit."
Open source ↗The apostle, in this chapter, is still carrying on the same general design as in the former - to recover these Christians from the impressions made upon them by the judaizing teachers, and to represent their weakness and folly in suffering themselves to be drawn away from the gospel doctrine of justification, and to be deprived of their freedom from the bondage of the law of Moses. For this purpose he makes use of various considerations; such as, I. The great excellence of the gospel state above the legal (Gal 4:1-7). II. The happy change that was made in them at their conversion (Gal 4:8-11). III. The affection they had had for him and his ministry (Gal 4:12-16). IV. The character of the false teachers by whom they had been perverted (Gal 4:17, Gal 4:18). V. The very tender affection he had for them (Gal 4:19, Gal 4:20). VI. The history of Isaac and Ishmael, by a comparison taken from which he illustrates the difference between such as rested in Christ and such as trusted in the law. And in all these, as he uses great plainness and faithfulness with them, so he expresses the tenderest concern for them.
Open source ↗4:30-31 Sarah’s demand regarding Ishmael, quoted from Gen 21:10, becomes a principle (see Gen 21:12) for dealing with the current son of the slave woman—anyone who refuses to abandon slavery to the law. God does not allow those who seek righteousness through human effort to share in his inheritance (see Rom 9:30-33). Those who come to God through Christ alone, by faith and not by keeping the law, are children of the free woman who inherit God’s blessings.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”