Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
persecuted--Ishmael "mocked" Isaac, which contained in it the germ and spirit of persecution (Genesis 21:9). His mocking was probably directed against Isaac's piety and faith in God's promises. Being the older by natural birth, he haughtily prided himself above him that was born by promise: as Cain hated Abel's piety.
him . . . born after the Spirit--The language, though referring primarily to Isaac, born in a spiritual way (namely, by the promise or word of God, rendered by His Spirit efficient out of the course of nature, in making Sarah fruitful in old age), is so framed as especially to refer to believers justified by Gospel grace through faith, as opposed to carnal men, Judaizers, and legalists.
even so it is now-- (Galatians 5:11; Galatians 6:12, Galatians 6:17; Acts 9:29; Acts 13:45, Acts 13:49-50; Acts 14:1-2, Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5, Acts 17:13; Acts 18:5-6). The Jews persecuted Paul, not for preaching Christianity in opposition to heathenism, but for preaching it as distinct from Judaism. Except in the two cases of Philippi and Ephesus (where the persons beginning the assault were pecuniarily interested in his expulsion), he was nowhere set upon by the Gentiles, unless they were first stirred up by the Jews. The coincidence between Paul's Epistles and Luke's history (the Acts) in this respect, is plainly undesigned, and so a proof of genuineness (see PALEY, Horæ Paulinæ).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Genesis 21:9
John 8:35
Romans 8:36
1 Corinthians 10:3
1 Corinthians 10:18
Galatians 4:28
Galatians 5:5
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