The two who were coupled together in the last verse as sons of one father are here contrasted in respect of their different mothers. γεγέννηται. The perfect is used in order to present the birth as a Scripture record now in existence (cf. Hebrews 11:17; Hebrews 11:28 …): otherwise the aorist ἐγεννήθη would have been appropriate. διʼ ἐπαγγελίας. There is an alternative reading διὰ τῆς ἐπ. supported by equal MS. authority: but it is difficult to attach any meaning to the article, whereas διʼ ἐπαγγ. forms an appropriate antithesis to κατὰ σάρκα. Like διὰ νόμου in Galatians 2:19; Galatians 2:21 it describes the attendant circumstances under which the birth took place, διά not having an instrumental force.

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Old Testament