Galatians 4:28 – “Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.”

Extended Explanation

Paul is reminding the Galatian believers of their true identity. Just as Isaac was born through God’s promise rather than human effort, believers in Christ are spiritually born through faith, not by following religious laws.

This statement builds on what Paul has been saying in the previous verses. He has been using the story of Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, as an allegory:

• Ishmael was born through human effort—his birth was Abraham and Sarah’s attempt to fulfill God’s promise on their own (Genesis 16). He represents people who try to be right with God through religious works and law-keeping.
• Isaac was born by God’s supernatural power—his birth was a miracle, proving that God’s promise was fulfilled by His own power, not by human effort (Genesis 21). He represents those who trust in God’s grace for salvation.

Paul tells the Galatians: You are like Isaac. You didn’t earn your place in God’s family through religious effort—you received it as a gift, just like Isaac was born because of God’s promise.

This is a strong encouragement for them to reject legalism and trust in the grace they received when they first believed in Christ.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter to the Galatian churches, who were being influenced by false teachers called Judaizers. These teachers were saying that faith in Christ was not enough—that believers also needed to follow the Jewish law (including circumcision) to be truly accepted by God.

Paul passionately opposes this false teaching. He reminds the Galatians that they are already children of promise, just like Isaac. They did not become part of God’s family by keeping religious rules but by believing in Christ (Galatians 3:26).

This was a radical statement because many Jewish people believed that only physical descendants of Abraham were truly part of God’s people. But Paul is making it clear: It’s not about physical birth or keeping the law—it’s about God’s promise and faith in Jesus.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches some key truths about our identity as believers:

1. We are saved by God’s promise, not by human effort. Just as Isaac was born by God’s power, we are saved only by God’s grace, not by following religious laws (Ephesians 2:8-9).
2. Faith, not works, makes us part of God’s family. Many people still believe that they have to “earn” God’s favor by being good enough. But Paul is clear—we are saved by faith alone (Romans 4:16).
3. Believers in Christ are the true children of Abraham. Being part of God’s family has nothing to do with ethnicity or religious rituals. It is about believing in God’s promise through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:7).
4. We are spiritually free, not slaves. Ishmael was born into slavery, but Isaac was born into freedom. Likewise, we are not bound to religious law—we are free in Christ (Galatians 5:1).

Literary Analysis

Paul uses a contrast between two sons to make his point:

• Ishmael (the child of the flesh) represents legalism, religious effort, and trying to earn salvation.
• Isaac (the child of the promise) represents faith, grace, and trusting in God’s power.

By calling the Galatians “children of promise,” Paul is reminding them that they belong to the line of faith, not the line of works. They did not become part of God’s family by human effort but by God’s grace, just as Isaac was born not by human strength but by God’s supernatural power.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 21:1-3 – The miraculous birth of Isaac, proving that God’s promises come true.
• Romans 9:8 – “It is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”
• Galatians 3:29 – “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
• John 1:12-13 – “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
• Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Paul’s message is still relevant today. Many people struggle with thinking they have to earn God’s love through good works, church attendance, or religious rules. But this verse reminds us:

• You are already accepted in Christ. Just like Isaac didn’t have to work to be Abraham’s son, you don’t have to work to be God’s child—you simply receive His grace.
• Your salvation is secure because it is based on God’s promise, not on your performance. Isaac didn’t earn his inheritance—he received it because of God’s faithfulness. In the same way, your place in God’s family is secure because of God’s faithfulness, not your works.
• You don’t have to live in religious fear. Many people live in fear that they aren’t “good enough” for God. But this verse shows that it’s not about being good enough—it’s about trusting in God’s promise.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He invites people into His family not because of what they do, but because of His promise.

• God’s love is not earned—it is freely given. Just as Isaac’s birth was a gift, so is salvation.
• God keeps His promises. Even when things seem impossible (like Sarah’s old age), God is faithful to fulfill His word.
• God wants us to live in freedom, not fear. The old covenant was based on rules and sacrifices, but the new covenant is based on God’s love and grace through Jesus.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

• Jesus is the true Son of Promise. Just as Isaac was the child of promise, Jesus is the promised Savior (Galatians 3:16).
• Through Jesus, we become children of God. Our spiritual birth is like Isaac’s—it happens because of God’s power, not our effort (John 3:3-6).
• Jesus sets us free from slavery to religious rules. Just as Isaac was free while Ishmael was a slave, Jesus frees us from the law and brings us into the joy of grace (Galatians 5:1).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Do you sometimes feel like you have to “earn” God’s approval? How does this verse challenge that mindset?
2. What does it mean to be a child of promise? How does that affect the way you live your faith?
3. Why do you think people are often tempted to rely on religious works instead of simply trusting in Christ?
4. How does knowing that God keeps His promises give you confidence in your faith?
5. How can you help others understand the freedom of living by grace instead of by works?