Galatians 4:27
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Galatians 4:27
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Chapter Context
Galatians 4 is a polemical epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, love, wisdom. Written during either before or after the Jerusalem Council (c. 48-55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Gentile believers faced pressure to adopt Jewish practices for full acceptance.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-31: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Galatians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Galatians 4:27
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Analysis
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Paul cites Isaiah 54:1 to support his argument. The prophet addressed exiled Israel as a barren woman who would miraculously bear many children. Paul applies this to Sarah and the church. "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not" (euphran thē, steira hē ou tiktousa, εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα)—the barren one (Sarah, unable to conceive naturally) is commanded to rejoice.
"Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not" (rhēxon kai boēson, hē ouk ōdinousa)—shout joyfully, you who don't experience labor pains (because you don't give birth naturally). "For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband" (hoti polla ta tekna tēs erēmou mallon ē tēs echousēs ton andra)—the abandoned, desolate woman (Sarah-type, the promise-covenant) has more children than the woman with a husband (Hagar-type, the law-covenant). This prophesies the gospel's success among Gentiles: multitudes of 'barren' Gentiles (outside covenant) would become God's children through faith, outnumbering ethnic Jews.
Historical Context
Isaiah 54:1 originally encouraged exiled Israel with promise of restoration and multiplication. Paul sees deeper fulfillment: the new covenant community, once 'barren' (Gentiles without covenant privileges), would explode with growth, far surpassing old covenant Israel's numbers. Church history validated this: Christianity spread rapidly among Gentiles, eventually encompassing far more people than Judaism ever did. The 'impossible' fertility of aged Sarah, bearing Isaac, prefigured the 'impossible' multiplication of Gentile believers through the gospel.
Reflection
- How does God specialize in bringing spiritual fruit from 'barren' situations—people and circumstances that seem spiritually dead?
- What barren areas of your life need to hear God's command: 'Rejoice! Break forth and cry!'?
- How does the global spread of the gospel among all nations fulfill God's promise that the 'desolate' would have more children than the privileged?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 2:5, 2 Samuel 13:20, Psalms 113:9, Isaiah 49:21, 1 Timothy 5:5