Galatians 4:15 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 4:15

Where is then the blessedness you spake of ?.... Or, as some copies read, "what was then your blessedness?" what, and how great was it? meaning, when the Gospel was first preached to them by him; when Christ was revealed to them as God's salvation; when the doctrines of free justification by the righteousness of Christ, and full pardon by his atonement and satisfaction by his sacrifice, were published among them; when the love of God was shed abroad in their hearts, and the Spirit of Christ... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:15

Verse 15 15.Where is there your blessedness? Paul had made them happy, and he intimates that the pious affection with which they formerly regarded him was an expression of their happiness. But now, by allowing themselves to be deprived of the services of him to whom they ought to have attributed whatever knowledge they possessed of Christ, they gave evidence that they were unhappy. This hint was intended to produce keen reflection. “What? Shall all this be lost? Will you forfeit all the... 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 4:13-16

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:15

Where is then (or, what was then ) the blessedness ye spake of? ( ποῦ οὖν [Receptus τίς οὖν ἦν ] ὁ μακαρισμὸς ὑμῶν ;); where , then , is that gratulation of yourselves (or, of yours )? The reading, ποῦ οὖν , which is that of the best manuscripts, is now generally accepted in preference to that of the Textus Receptus, τίς οὖν ἦν , in which, however, τίς οὖν stands on a higher footing of evidence than the remaining word ἦν . This... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:15

Where is then the blessedness - Margin, “What was” - in accordance with the Greek. The words “ye spake of” are not in the Greek, and should have been printed in italics. But they obscure the sense at any rate. This is not to be regarded as a question, asking what had become of the blessedness, implying that it had departed; but it is rather to be regarded as an exclamation, referring to the happiness of that moment, and their affection and joy when they thus received him. “What blessedness you... 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 4:15

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:13-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:15

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