Galatians 4:28 - Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
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What does "Galatians 4:28" mean?
Galatians 4:28, "Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise," is a key verse in understanding Paul's argument about justification by faith, not by adherence to the Law of Moses. Let's break it down:
"Now we, brothers..." Paul is addressing the Galatian believers, whom he considers his brothers and sisters in Christ.
"...as Isaac was..." This refers to the Old Testament story of Isaac, Abraham's son. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, miraculously, after God promised them a son. Sarah had been barren and past childbearing age.
"...are children of promise." This is the core of the verse. Paul argues that just as Isaac's birth was the fulfillment of God's promise, so too are the Galatian believers "children of promise."
Here's what it means in context:
1. Contrast with Hagar and Ishmael: Paul spends much of Galatians 4 using the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between the old covenant (Law) and the new covenant (grace through faith).
Hagar (the slave woman) represents the Law, specifically the Mosaic Law. Trying to be justified by the Law is like relying on Hagar – it leads to bondage and ultimately doesn't fulfill God's promise. Ishmael, Hagar's son, represents those who try to be justified through works of the Law.
Sarah (the free woman) represents the new covenant of grace through faith in Christ. Isaac, Sarah's son, represents those who are justified by faith – they are the "children of promise," receiving their inheritance (salvation) because of God's grace, not because of their own efforts.
2. Emphasis on Faith, Not Works: Being "children of promise" highlights that salvation is a gift from God received through faith, just as Isaac was a gift from God to Abraham. It is not earned through works or adherence to the Law. The Galatians, who were being influenced by Judaizers to follow Jewish Law to be "truly" saved, were being led away from the gospel of grace.
3. Inheritance: Just as Isaac inherited Abraham's blessings because he was Abraham' legitimate heir, believers who are "children of promise" inherit the blessings of salvation, including eternal life, because of their relationship with Christ through faith.
4. Supernatural Birth: The connection to Isaac's miraculous birth also hints at the supernatural nature of being born again. Just as Isaac was born through God's intervention, believers are born again into new life through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In summary, Galatians 4:28 means that Christians are children of God because of God's promise fulfilled in Christ, received through faith, just as Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah according to God's promise. Our inheritance of salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned through works of the Law.
Galatians 4:28 - Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
What does "Galatians 4:28" mean?
Galatians 4:28, "Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise," is a key verse in understanding Paul's argument about justification by faith, not by adherence to the Law of Moses. Let's break it down:
"Now we, brothers..." Paul is addressing the Galatian believers, whom he considers his brothers and sisters in Christ.
"...as Isaac was..." This refers to the Old Testament story of Isaac, Abraham's son. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, miraculously, after God promised them a son. Sarah had been barren and past childbearing age.
"...are children of promise." This is the core of the verse. Paul argues that just as Isaac's birth was the fulfillment of God's promise, so too are the Galatian believers "children of promise."
Here's what it means in context:
1. Contrast with Hagar and Ishmael: Paul spends much of Galatians 4 using the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between the old covenant (Law) and the new covenant (grace through faith).
Hagar (the slave woman) represents the Law, specifically the Mosaic Law. Trying to be justified by the Law is like relying on Hagar – it leads to bondage and ultimately doesn't fulfill God's promise. Ishmael, Hagar's son, represents those who try to be justified through works of the Law.
Sarah (the free woman) represents the new covenant of grace through faith in Christ. Isaac, Sarah's son, represents those who are justified by faith – they are the "children of promise," receiving their inheritance (salvation) because of God's grace, not because of their own efforts.
2. Emphasis on Faith, Not Works: Being "children of promise" highlights that salvation is a gift from God received through faith, just as Isaac was a gift from God to Abraham. It is not earned through works or adherence to the Law. The Galatians, who were being influenced by Judaizers to follow Jewish Law to be "truly" saved, were being led away from the gospel of grace.
3. Inheritance: Just as Isaac inherited Abraham's blessings because he was Abraham' legitimate heir, believers who are "children of promise" inherit the blessings of salvation, including eternal life, because of their relationship with Christ through faith.
4. Supernatural Birth: The connection to Isaac's miraculous birth also hints at the supernatural nature of being born again. Just as Isaac was born through God's intervention, believers are born again into new life through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In summary, Galatians 4:28 means that Christians are children of God because of God's promise fulfilled in Christ, received through faith, just as Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah according to God's promise. Our inheritance of salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned through works of the Law.