12 Become as I 'am'—because I also 'am' as ye brethren, I beseech you; to me ye did no hurt, 13 and ye have known that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the first, 14 and my trial that 'is' in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me—as Christ Jesus; 15 what then was your happiness? for I testify to you, that if possible, your eyes having plucked out, ye would have given to me; 16 so that your enemy have I become, being true to you?
17 they are zealous for you—'yet' not well, but they wish to shut us out, that for them ye may be zealous; 18 and 'it is' good to be zealously regarded, in what is good, at all times, and not only in my being present with you;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Galatians 4:12-18
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.