Galatians 4:23
But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
Truth to Learn
Works of the flesh, like obeying man made spiritual laws and rules, do not please God. What He wants is faith.
Behind the Words
The word translated “flesh” is sarx, which refers to “the flesh of a living creature.”
The word translated “according to” is kata, which primarily means “down” but it has many functions within the Greek language. Among those uses is a metaphorical one which refers to “a state or condition in which anything is or is done.” In this sense it is often translated as “according to.” This is how it is used in the current verse. The meaning here is that the one born of the bondwoman was conceived through an act of the flesh.
The word translated “promise” is a noun form of the verb epangello. This is made up of epi, which is used here as an intensifier and angello meaning “to proclaim or announce.” Hence, the verb epangello means “to make a promise by proclamation.”
Finally, the word translated “through” is dia, which can refer to motion as in “through the land” or agency as in “through the power of the Holy Spirit.” In this case it refers to agency.
Meaning Explained
As was discussed in the previous verse, Ishmael was born as a result of Sarai giving her handmaid, Hagar, to Abram for the purpose of having a child. In the customs of the time, it was accepted that if a woman could not bear children then she could offer her servant girl to her husband for the purpose of having a child. Since the servant girl was the property of the wife, the child born to the servant was considered to have come from the wife.
Paul’s point in this verse is to show that Abram and Sarai were taking matters into their own hands instead of trusting in God. The Lord had already told Abram that he would have an heir who would come from his own body. In fact, God told Abram that his descendents would be as numerous as the stars of heaven.
And behold, the word of the LORD came to [Abram], saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:4, 5)
The next verse even tells us that Abram believed God and, as a result, God declared him righteous. But Abram’s faith was weak, so he and Sarai took matters into their own hands. What God wanted was to bless them with a miracle and all Abram and Sarai had to do was believe Him. Paul is using this allegory to show the Galatian Christians that performing works of the flesh is taking matters into their own hands instead of simply having faith in God.
Application
There is nothing that you can do to please God except to believe what He tells you in His Word. His blessing on your life can’t be earned, it can only be accepted by faith.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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