13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,
13 You were well aware that the reason I ended up preaching to you was that I was physically broken, and so, prevented from continuing my journey, I was forced to stop with you. That is how I came to preach to you.
13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.
19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
19 Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ's life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth.
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.
(Read Galatians 4:19-20)
The Galatians were ready to account the apostle their enemy, but he assures them he was their friend; he had the feelings of a parent toward them. He was in doubt as to their state, and was anxious to know the result of their present delusions. Nothing is so sure a proof that a sinner has passed into a state of justification, as Christ being formed in him by the renewal of the Holy Spirit; but this cannot be hoped for, while men depend on the law for acceptance with God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Galatians 4:13
Commentary on Galatians 4:12-18
(Read Galatians 4:12-18)
The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him respecting the law of Moses, as well as united with him in love. In reproving others, we should take care to convince them that our reproofs are from sincere regard to the honour of God and religion and their welfare. The apostle reminds the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came among them. But he notices, that he was a welcome messenger to them. Yet how very uncertain are the favour and respect of men! Let us labour to be accepted of God. You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now reason to think otherwise? Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others. The false teachers who drew the Galatians from the truth of the gospel were designing men. They pretended affection, but they were not sincere and upright. An excellent rule is given. It is good to be zealous always in a good thing; not for a time only, or now and then, but always. Happy would it be for the church of Christ, if this zeal was better maintained.