Galatians 4:16-17 ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:12-16

That these Christians might be the more ashamed of their defection from the truth of the gospel which Paul had preached to them, he here reminds them of the great affection they formerly had for him and his ministry, and puts them upon considering how very unsuitable their present behaviour was to what they then professed. And here we may observe, I. How affectionately he addresses himself to them. He styles them brethren, though he knew their hearts were in a great measure alienated from him.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:17-18

The apostle is still carrying on the same design as in the Gal. 4:12-16, which was, to convince the Galatians of their sin and folly in departing from the truth of the gospel: having just before been expostulating with them about the change of their behaviour towards him who endeavoured to establish them in it, he here gives them the character of those false teachers who made it their business to draw them away from it, which if they would attend to, they might soon see how little reason they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 4:12-20

4:12-20 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, because I became as you are. I have no complaints against the way that once you treated me. You know that it was because I was ill that I first preached the gospel to you. It must have been a temptation to you to do so, but you did not look on me with contempt or turn with loathing from me, but you received me as if I were an angel of God, as you would have received Christ Jesus. I once had cause to congratulate you. Where has that cause gone... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:16

Am I therefore become your enemy ,.... Not that he was an enemy to them, he had the same cordial affection for them as ever; he had their true interest at heart, and was diligently pursuing it; but they, through the insinuations of the false teachers, had entertained an ill opinion of him, and an aversion to him, and treated him as if he had been an enemy to them, and as if they had a real hatred of him: and that for no other reason, as he observes, but because I tell you the truth ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:17

They zealously affect you ,.... Or "are jealous of you"; meaning the false apostles, whose names, in contempt, he mentions not, being unworthy to be taken notice of, and their names to be transmitted to posterity. These were jealous of them, not with a godly jealousy, as the apostle was, lest their minds should be corrupted from the simplicity of the Gospel; but they were jealous, lest they should love the apostle more than they, and therefore represented him in a very bad light, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:16

Am I therefore become your enemy - How is it that you are so much altered towards me, that you now treat me as an enemy, who formerly loved me with the most fervent affection? Is it because I tell you the truth; that very truth for which you at first so ardently loved me? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:17

They zealously affect you, but not well - It is difficult for common readers to understand the meaning of these words: perhaps it would be better to translate Ζηλουσιν ὑμας ου καλως , these false teachers endeavor to conciliate your esteem, but not in honest or true principles; they work themselves into your good graces; they wish you to place all your affection upon themselves. They would exclude you - They wish to shut you out from the affection of your apostle, that you might... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:16

Verse 16 16.Am I therefore become your enemy? He now returns to speak about himself. It was entirely their own fault, he says, that they had changed their minds. Though it is a common remark, that truth begets hatred, yet, except through the malice and wickedness of those who cannot endure to hear it, truth is never hateful. While he vindicates himself from any blame in the unhappy difference between them, he indirectly censures their ingratitude. Yet still his advice is friendly, not to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:17

Verse 17 17.They are jealous of you. He comes at length to the false apostles, and does more by silence to make them odious, than if he had given their names; for we usually abstain from naming those whose very names produce in us dislike and aversion. He mentions the immoderate ambition of those men, and warns the Galatians not to be led astray by their appearance of zeal. The comparison is borrowed from honorable love, as contrasted with those professions of regard which arise from unhallowed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The appeal of the suffering apostle. To render Paul's appeal more emphatic, he proceeds next to remind them of the tender relations in which he had stood to them when he preached the gospel to them the first time. He had been suffering from the thorn in the flesh; he was consequently a very weak specimen when as a preacher he stood before them; but the message was so emancipating to their souls that they would have done anything for him in their gratitude. They would have even plucked out... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:12-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:17-18

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 4:12-20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

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