SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:23
Mas el de la sierva naci segn la carne; pero el de la libre naci por la promesa.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:23
Verse 23. Was born after the flesh] Ishmael was born according to the course of nature, his parents being both of a proper age, so that there was nothing uncommon or supernatural in his birth: this is the proper meaning of the apostle's kata sarka, after or according to the flesh, and answers to the Hebrew phrase, krd l[ rb al derec basar, according to the manner of the flesh, i.e. naturally, according to the common process of nature. By promise.] Both Abraham and Sarah had passed that age in which the procreation of children was possible on natural principles. The birth, therefore, of Isaac was supernatural; it was the effect of an especial promise of God; and it was only on the ground of that promise that it was either credible or possible.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. But he who was of the bondwoman , etc..] Ishmael, who was begotten and born of Hagar, was born after the flesh ; after the common order and course of nature, through the copulation of two persons, the one able to procreate, and the other fit for the conception of children; and was typical of the Jews, the natural descendants of Abraham, who, as such, and upon that account, were not the children of God, nor heirs of the eternal inheritance: but he of the free woman was by promise ; by a previous promise made by God to Abraham, that he should have a son in his old age, when his body was now dead, and when Sarah his wife, who had always been barren, was now grown old, and past the time of bearing children; so that Isaac was born out of the common order and course of nature; his conception and birth were owing to the promise and power of God, and to his free grace and favour to Abraham. This son of promise was a type of the spiritual seed of Abraham, whether Jews or Gentiles, the children of the promise that are counted for the seed; who are born again of the will, power, and grace of God, and are heirs, according to the promise, both of grace and glory, when they that are of the law, and the works of it, are not. All which is further illustrated in the following verses.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 21-27 - The difference between believers who rested in Christ only, and thos who trusted in the law, is explained by the histories of Isaac an Ishmael. These things are an allegory, wherein, beside the literal an historical sense of the words, the Spirit of God points out somethin further. Hagar and Sarah were apt emblems of the two differen dispensations of the covenant. The heavenly Jerusalem, the true churc from above, represented by Sarah, is in a state of freedom, and is the mother of all believers, who are born of the Holy Spirit. They were by regeneration and true faith, made a part of the true seed of Abraham according to the promise made to him.
Greek Textus Receptus
αλλ 235 ο 3588 μεν 3303 εκ 1537 της 3588 παιδισκης 3814 κατα 2596 σαρκα 4561 γεγεννηται 1080 5769 ο 3588 δε 1161 εκ 1537 της 3588 ελευθερας 1658 δια 1223 της 3588 επαγγελιας 1860
Vincent's NT Word Studies
23. Was born (gegennhtai). Has been born, or is born: perfect tense, treating the historical fact as if present.
After the flesh (kata sarka). According to the regular course of nature. Very common in Paul.
By promise (di epaggeliav). Most editors retain the article, the promise of Gen. xvii. 16, 19; xviii. 10. Comp. Rom. ix. 9. In virtue of the promise; for according to natural conditions he would not have been born.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:23 {Is born} (gegennetai). Perfect passive indicative of gennaw, stand on record so. {Through promise} (di' epaggelias). In addition to being "after the flesh" (kata sarka).
