But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
But - But our being "children of promise" does not exempt us from persecution.
Persecuted, х ediooken (G1377), used to persecute]. Ishmael 'mocked' х tsachaquw (H6711), equivalent in Numbers to Hagar] Isaac, which contained the germ and spirit of persecution (Genesis 21:9). His mocking was probably directed against Isaac's 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 that was born after the Spirit. The language refers primarily to Isaac, born in a spiritual way-namely, by the Spirit-energized promise of God making Sarah, out of the course of nature, fruitful in old age (Romans 4:19-20). But it is so framed as to refer also to believers justified by grace through faith, as opposed to carnal Judaizers and legalists.
Even so it is now (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; Galatians 5:11; Galatians 6:12; Galatians 6:17). The Jews persecuted Paul, not for preaching Christianity against paganism, 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 Gentiles, unless when stirred up by the Jews. The coincidence between Paul's letters and Luke's history (the Acts) in this respect is plainly undesigned; and so a proof of genuineness (Paley).