galatians-4:12-18-asv

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:12

Be as I am - Thoroughly addicted to the Christian faith and worship, from the deepest conviction of its truth. For I am as ye are - I was formerly a Jew, and as zealously addicted to the rites and ceremonies of Judaism as ye are, but I am saved from that mean and unprofitable dependence: "Be therefore as I am now; who was once as you now are." Others think the sense to be this: "Be as affectionate to me as I am to you; for ye were once as loving to me as I am now to you." Ye have not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:13

Ye know how through infirmity - The apostle seems to say that he was much afflicted in body when he first preached the Gospel to them. And is this any strange thing, that a minister, so laborious as St. Paul was, should be sometimes overdone and overcome by the severity of his labors? Surely not. This might have been only an occasional affliction, while laboring in that part of Asia Minor; and not a continual and incurable infirmity, as some have too hastily conjectured. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:14

And my temptation which was in my flesh - On this verse there are a great many various readings, as there are various opinions. Instead of μου , My temptation, ABC*D*FG, some others, with the Coptic, Vulgate, Itala, and several of the primitive fathers, have ὑμων , Your temptation. The word πειρασμον , which we translate temptation, signifies trial of any kind. The verse therefore may be read, "Ye despised not the trial which was in my flesh;" or, "Ye despised not your trial,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:15

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? - Ye spake of should be in italics, there being no corresponding word in the Greek text. Perhaps there is not a sentence in the New Testament more variously translated than this. I shall give the original: τις ουν ην ὁ μακαρισμος ὑμων· What was then your blessedness! Or, How great was your happiness at that time! Or, What blessings did ye then pour on me! It is worthy of remark, that, instead of τις , what, ABCFG, several others, the older... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:18

It is good to be zealously affected - It is well to have a determined mind and an ardent heart in reference to things which are laudable and good. Not only when I am present - You were thus attached to me when I was among you, but now ye have lost both your reverence and affection for me. Your false teachers pretended great concern for you, that you might put all your confidence in them; they have gained their end; they have estranged you from me, and got you to renounce the Gospel, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:12

Verse 12 12.Be as I am. Having till now spoken roughly, he begins to adopt a milder strain. The former harshness had been more than justified by the heinousness of the offense; but as he wished to do good, he resolves to adopt a style of conciliation. It is the part of a wise pastor to consider, not what those who have wandered may justly deserve, but what may be the likeliest method of bringing them back to the right path. He must “be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:13

Verse 13 13.Ye know that, through infirmity of the flesh. He recalls to their recollection the friendly and respectful manner in which they had received him, and he does so for two reasons. First, to let them know that he loved them, and thus to gain a ready ear to all that he says; and secondly, to encourage them, that, as they had begun well, they would go on in the same course. This mention of past occurrences, then, while it is an expression of his kind regards, is intended likewise as an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:14

Verse 14 14.My temptation. That is, “Though ye perceived me to be, in a worldly point of view, a contemptible person, yet ye did not reject me.” He calls it a temptation or trial, because it was a thing not unknown or hidden, and he did not himself attempt to conceal it, as is usually done by ambitious men, who are ashamed of anything about them that may lower them in public estimation. It frequently happens that unworthy persons receive applause, before their true character has been... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:15

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:14

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