Galatians 4:22-23

Galatians 4:22-23

[22] For  it is written,  that  Abraham  had  two  sons,  the one  by  a bondmaid,  the other  by  a freewoman.  [23] But  he  who was of  the bondwoman  was born  after  the flesh;  but  he of  the freewoman  was by  promise. 

What does Galatians 4:22-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

He pointed out two contrasts between Ishmael and Isaac. First, Ishmael"s mother was a slave, but Isaac"s mother was free. These conditions affected the status of their sons in Abraham"s household. Second, Ishmael was born naturally, but Isaac was born supernaturally in fulfillment of God"s promise.
"In the scriptural record of the birth of these two sons of Abraham Paul recognizes the same opposition between reliance on self ("according to the flesh") and reliance on God ("through promise") as exists between those who would be justified by legal works and those who are justified by faith." [1]