King James Bible
"But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise."
Paul refers to Ishmael, born to Hagar (Abraham's slave), through natural human effort when Abraham and Sarah tried to fulfill God's promise themselves. 'After the flesh' indicates human scheming apart from divine intervention, representing works-based religion. Isaac, born to Sarah (the free wife), came through God's supernatural promise despite physical impossibility. This birth represents grace-based salvation that depends entirely on God's power and faithfulness rather than human ability.