Galatians 4:30
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
Nevertheless
G235
ἀλλὰ
Nevertheless
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
2 of 25
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφή;
the scripture
G1124
γραφή;
the scripture
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
5 of 25
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίσκης
of the bondwoman
G3814
παιδίσκης
of the bondwoman
Strong's:
G3814
Word #:
8 of 25
a girl, i.e., (specially), a female slave or servant
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ
son
G5207
υἱοῦ
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
11 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτῆς·
her
G846
αὐτῆς·
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οὐ
G3756
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
15 of 25
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ
son
G5207
υἱοῦ
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
18 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίσκης
of the bondwoman
G3814
παιδίσκης
of the bondwoman
Strong's:
G3814
Word #:
20 of 25
a girl, i.e., (specially), a female slave or servant
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ
son
G5207
υἱοῦ
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
23 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Historical Context
Sarah's demand seemed cruel, but God confirmed it because Ishmael threatened Isaac's unique status as heir. Allegorically, law-observance threatens the gospel. The Judaizers wanted both: faith in Christ plus circumcision and law-keeping. Paul insists this corrupts the gospel entirely (1:6-9, 5:2-4). No mixing allowed. This uncompromising stance characterized early church struggles: Christianity must decisively break from law-based righteousness while still honoring the Old Testament as Scripture. The new covenant replaces the old as means of relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'bondwoman' elements (law-works, religious performance as grounds for acceptance) do you need to 'cast out' decisively from your relationship with God?
- Why is mixing grace and works so dangerous that Paul demands complete expulsion of the law-principle?
- How do you recognize when you're trying to be an heir both 'through the bondwoman' (law) and 'through the freewoman' (promise)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. Paul quotes Genesis 21:10 (Sarah's demand). "Nevertheless what saith the scripture?" (alla ti legei hē graphē, ἀλλὰ τί λέγει ἡ γραφή)—despite persecution, what's Scripture's verdict? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son" (ekbale tēn paidiskēn kai ton huion autēs, ἔκβαλε τὴν παιδίσκην καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς)—expel, drive out Hagar and Ishmael. This seems harsh, but it's God's command (Genesis 21:12).
"For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman" (ou gar mē klēronomēsei ho huios tēs paidiskēs meta tou huiou tēs eleutheras)—Ishmael will not share Isaac's inheritance. The double negative ou mē (οὐ μή) is emphatic: absolutely not! Applying allegorically: law and grace can't coexist as means of inheritance. One must be cast out. You can't mix flesh and Spirit, works and faith, law and grace. The Galatians must choose: cast out the law-covenant (bondwoman) or lose the promise-covenant (freewoman). Trying to keep both means losing both. Paul demands decisive rejection of law-righteousness.