Galatians 4:28
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
3 of 8
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
κατὰ
as
G2596
κατὰ
as
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
4 of 8
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
Galatians 4:23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.Galatians 3:29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.Acts 3:25Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Historical Context
Paul's identification of Christians with Isaac rather than Ishmael was revolutionary. Jews saw themselves as Isaac's children through physical descent from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. Paul insists spiritual descent (faith-pattern) supersedes physical descent. Believers share Isaac's birth-type (miraculous, promised, supernatural) regardless of ethnic background. This democratized covenant membership and challenged Jewish exclusivism. It also challenged Gentile reliance on external rituals (circumcision) rather than internal faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does identifying yourself as an 'Isaac'—a child of promise born by supernatural divine power—shape your self-understanding?
- In what ways do you sometimes revert to 'Ishmael' patterns, trusting human effort rather than divine promise?
- What would change if you fully embraced your identity as a supernatural miracle of grace, not a natural achievement of religious effort?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Paul applies the allegory directly. "Now we" (hēmeis de, ἡμεῖς δέ)—we believers, both Jewish and Gentile Christians. "Brethren" (adelphoi, ἀδελφοί)—fellow believers. "As Isaac was" (kata Isaak, κατὰ Ἰσαάκ)—according to the pattern of Isaac, in the same category as Isaac. "Are the children of promise" (epangelias tekna esmen, ἐπαγγελίας τέκνα ἐσμέν)—we are promise-children, not flesh-children.
Our spiritual identity corresponds to Isaac: born by supernatural divine power in fulfillment of divine promise, received through faith when natural possibility was dead. We're not Ishmael-type (born of human effort, natural ability, works of flesh). Our birth into God's family came through believing God's promise of salvation in Christ, accomplished by the Spirit's regenerating power. This is true of every Christian, regardless of ethnic background. Law-observers are Ishmael's children; faith-believers are Isaac's children. The Judaizers had it backwards: they thought circumcision made them Isaac's children. Paul shows faith alone does.