Galatians 4:13 NIV

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

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 4:13

Ye know how, through infirmity of the flesh ,.... Meaning either their infirmity, to which the apostle accommodated himself in preaching the Gospel to them, delivering it in such a manner as suited with their capacities, feeding them with milk, and not with strong meat; or his own infirmity, respecting either some particular bodily infirmity and disorder, as the headache, with which he is said to be greatly troubled; or the weakness of his bodily presence, the mean outward appearance he... 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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

Personal appeal. I. HE ASKS RECIPROCITY . "I beseech you, brethren, be as I am, for I am as ye are." Born a Jew, in accommodation to them he had taken up the Gentile position, i.e. in respect of freedom from Jewish ordinances. Let them, as brethren, show reciprocity. Let them give up their adopted Jewish practices and occupy the Gentile position along with him. II. HE RECALLS WITH PLEASURE THEIR RECEPTION OF HIM . 1 . Negatively. "Ye did me no wrong." He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:13

Ye know ( οἴδατε δέ ); and ye know. The apostle very often uses the verb οἵδαμεν , or οἴδατε , conjoined with either δέ , γάρ , or καθώς , when recalling some circumstance of personal history ( 1 Corinthians 16:15 ; Philippians 4:15 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:1 , 1 Thessalonians 2:2 , 1 Thessalonians 2:5 , 1 Thessalonians 2:11 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:4 ; 2 Timothy 1:15 ) or to introduce the statement of a doctrine as one which would be at once recognized... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:13-16

A retrospect with its lessons. The apostle seeks an explanation of their changed attitude toward himself. I. HE RECALLS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS FIRST RELATIONS WITH THE GALATIANS . "Ye know how on account of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first." 1 . His visit was not designed , but accidental. He was travelling through their country on his way to regions beyond, when he was seized with illness and detained so long... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:13

Ye know how - To show them the folly of their embracing the new views which they had adopted, he reminds them of past times, and particularly of the strength of the attachment which they had evinced for him in former days.Through infirmity of the flesh - Greek “Weakness” (ἀσθένειαν astheneian); compare the 1 Corinthians 2:3 note; 2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 12:7 notes. read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:13

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:13-16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:13

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