Galatians 4:30

But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian churches to resolve pressure toward Mosaic law by quoting Scripture directly. He cites the command to expel the slave woman and her son to establish that gospel heirs cannot coexist with legalistic bondage.

The words — ἔκβαλε (ekbale) translates literally as "cast out," and γραφή (graphē) denotes the authoritative written text. Paul uses these terms to anchor his argument in a direct biblical command rather than human tradition.

The thread — The command originates in Genesis 21:10, where Sarah demands the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael. Paul echoes this separation from slavery in Romans 8:15 and contrasts the temporary status of a slave with the permanence of a son in John 8:35.

Why it lands — The text commands the removal of those bound to legalistic observance so that promise heirs may inherit freely. It demands that readers reject reliance on fleshly methods and embrace their identity as children of the free woman.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Genesis 21:10 and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”
John 8:35 A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 11:2 God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:
Romans 11:7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
Galatians 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
James 4:5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?