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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
It is not merely that the Church was barren like Sarah, or became a mother of many children like her, but she bore them in the way Sarah did. As it was not nature but the promise of God which rendered Sarah a mother, [for the word of God which said, "At the time appointed I will return unto thee, and Sarah shall have a son," (Gen. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Church, he says, being barren like Sarah, not only became the mother of many children, as she did, but also gave birth in the same manner as she. Just as it was not nature but the promise that made her a mother (for He Who said, "I will return to you at this same time" (Gen. 18:10) entered the womb and formed the fruit), so also with us, as was said above, the divine words pronounced at baptism accomplish a new creation.
Oecumenius
Not only was the Church barren as Sarah was, nor afterwards did she have much offspring like her, but it was begotten in the same manner. For Sarah did not bear Isaac by the law of nature, but by divine grace. Nor does the Church give birth by the law of nature in the baptismal font, but by divine grace. Do you see how the type in every respect agrees with the truth? "according to Isaac." For we were not begotten according to nature, but according to grace, as Isaac through the promise. …
Western Saints
Jerome
But we, brethren, are children of promise according to Isaac. It is of no difficulty of understanding that the Apostle and those like him are said to be children of promise according to Isaac. But because Origen, explaining this passage, thus presents the example of the Apostle: But you, brethren, are children of promise according to Isaac, it is asked how he now calls the Galatians, whom he had called foolish and said had begun in the Spirit, to finish in the flesh, children of promise according to Isaac? …
Thomas Aquinas
Having disclosed the mystery as to the mothers, he now discloses it as to the sons. First, he differentiates between the sons; Secondly, he sets down the main conclusion (v. 31). He distinguishes the sons on three counts: First, as to the manner of origin; Secondly, as to the feeling of love (v. 29). Thirdly, as to their right to the inheritance (v. 30). …
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