Galatians 4:19 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:19-20

That the apostle might the better dispose these Christians to bear with him in the reproofs which he was obliged to give them, he here expresses his great affection to them, and the very tender concern he had for their welfare: he was not like them?one thing when among them and another when absent from them. Their disaffection to him had not removed his affection from them; but he still bore the same respect to them which he had formerly done, nor was he like their false teachers, who... 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 4:19

My little children ,.... A soft and tender way of speaking, used by Christ to his disciples, and frequently by that affectionate and beloved disciple, John. It is expressive of the apostle's strong love and affection for them, and points out their tenderness in the faith, and that small degree of spiritual light and knowledge they had, as well as signifies that he had been, as he hoped, and in a judgment of charity believed, an instrument of their conversion, and was their spiritual parent:... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:19

My little children - Τεκνια μου· My beloved children. As their conversion to God had been the fruit of much labor, prayers, and tears, so he felt them as his children, and peculiarly dear to him, because he had been the means of bringing them to the knowledge of the truth; therefore he represents himself as suffering the same anxiety and distress which he endured at first when he preached the Gospel to them, when their conversion to Christianity was a matter of great doubt and uncertainty.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:19

Verse 19 19.My little children. The word children is still softer and more affectionate than brethren; and the diminutive,little children, is an expression, not of contempt, but of endearment, though, at the same time, it suggests the tender years of those who ought now to have arrived at full age. (Hebrews 5:12.) The style is abrupt, which is usually the case with highly pathetic passages. Strong feeling, from the difficulty of finding adequate expression, breaks off our words when half... 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 4:19

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you ( τεκνία μου [or, τέκνα μου ] οὔς πάλιν ὠδίνω ἄρχις οὗ μορφωθῇ χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν ); my little children (or, my children ) of whom I am again in travail , until Christ be formed in you. It has been above remarked to be doubtful whether this verse should be conjoined with the preceding verse or with that which follows. The objection to the latter arrangement, presented by the δὲ ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:19-20

A tender appeal to his converts. The Epistle alternates from reproof to argument and from argument to entreaty. I. THE APOSTLE 'S EARNEST DESIRE FOR THEIR GROWTH INTO SPIRITUAL MANHOOD . "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you." 1 . Mark the tenderness of his address. "My little children;" implying 2 . Mark his deep anxiety on their account. "Of whom I travail in birth again." The idea not being so much that of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:19

My little children - The language of tender affection, such as a parent would use toward his own offspring; see the note at 1 Corinthians 4:15; compare Matthew 18:3; Joh 13:33; 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:12-13; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:21. The idea here is, that Paul felt that he sustained toward them the relation of a father, and he had for them the deep and tender feelings of a parent.Of whom I travail in birth again - For whose welfare I am deeply anxious: and for whom I endure deep anguish; compare 1... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:19-20

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:19-20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:19

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