Galatians 4:16
Verse
Context
Sermons
Leonard Ravenhill
Brian Brodersen
James ArminiusSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Am I therefore become your enemy - How is it that you are so much altered towards me, that you now treat me as an enemy, who formerly loved me with the most fervent affection? Is it because I tell you the truth; that very truth for which you at first so ardently loved me?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate, "Am I then become your enemy (an enemy in your eyes) by telling you the truth" (Gal 2:5, Gal 2:14)? He plainly did not incur their enmity at his first visit, and the words here imply that he had since then, and before his now writing, incurred it: so that the occasion of his telling them the unwelcome truth, must have been at his second visit (Act 18:23, see my Introduction). The fool and sinner hate a reprover. The righteous love faithful reproof (Psa 141:5; Pro 9:8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
They zealously affect you,.... Or "are jealous of you"; meaning the false apostles, whose names, in contempt, he mentions not, being unworthy to be taken notice of, and their names to be transmitted to posterity. These were jealous of them, not with a godly jealousy, as the apostle was, lest their minds should be corrupted from the simplicity of the Gospel; but they were jealous, lest they should love the apostle more than they, and therefore represented him in a very bad light, and expressed great love and kindness for them themselves: but not well; their zeal and affection were not hearty, and sincere, and without dissimulation, but were all feigned, were only in word and in tongue, not in deed, and in truth: this zealous affection neither proceeded from right principles, nor with right views; they sought themselves, and their own carnal worldly interest, their own pleasure and profit, and not the good and welfare of the souls of these Galatians: yea, they would exclude you; that is, either from the apostle, from bearing any love unto, and having any respect for him. What they were wishing and seeking for was to draw off the minds and affections of these persons from him; or they were desirous of removing them from the Gospel of Christ unto another Gospel, and did all they could to hinder them from obeying the truth; and particularly were for shutting them out of their Christian liberty, and bringing them under the bondage of the law; yea, were for separating them from the churches, that they might set up themselves at the head of them. Some copies read "us", instead of "you"; and then the meaning is, that they were desirous of excluding the apostle from their company, and from having any share in their affections, which makes little alteration in the sense: and others, instead of "exclude", read "include"; and which is confirmed by the Syriac version, which renders the word "but they would include you"; that is, either they would include, or imprison you under the law, and the bondage of it; or they would monopolize you, and engross all your love to themselves; and which is also the sense of the Arabic version: that you might affect them; love them, show respect to them, be on their side, follow their directions, imbibe their doctrines, and give up yourselves wholly to their care, and be at their call and command.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:16 The contrast couldn’t be greater between the Galatians’ acceptance of Paul and his message at the beginning of their Christian life, and their current suspicion or even rejection of him.
Galatians 4:16
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Galatians - Prayer Meeting (Cd Quality)
By Leonard Ravenhill7.6K41:26Prayer MeetingPSA 51:6ISA 53:51CO 4:15GAL 4:16GAL 4:19HEB 1:3In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the preaching of the Apostle Paul and his ability to confound intellectuals with the message of the Resurrection. The speaker emphasizes the power of personal experience in strengthening one's faith and resisting arguments. They express a desire for the courage, faith, and love demonstrated by Paul. The speaker also mentions their own experiences in preaching and the importance of speaking the truth, even if it makes one unpopular.
(1 Corinthians) Flee Sexual Immorality
By Brian Brodersen1.8K57:14MAT 5:29JHN 15:18ROM 6:231CO 6:92CO 6:17GAL 4:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of sin and the consequences it has on one's inheritance of the kingdom of God. He highlights the power of Christ to deliver and set free those who have become entangled in sin. The preacher also discusses the importance of understanding the severity of sin and the need to avoid practices that can lead to temptation. He emphasizes the need for Christians to replace carnal things with spiritual things and not to live on the edge of the world while expecting God's blessing. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the two approaches to dealing with sin: a compassionate and loving approach, and a fear-based approach that highlights the reality of God's judgment.
Reconciling Religious Dissensions Among Christians
By James Arminius0MAT 10:34ROM 10:102CO 4:132CO 10:5GAL 4:161TI 6:102TI 4:3HEB 2:4James Arminius preaches about the nature, effects, causes, and remedies of religious dissensions among Christians. He highlights the presence of evil in all ages, the conflict between divine benevolence and human perversity, and the prevalence of discord within Christendom. Arminius emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of dissension, its causes like pride, avarice, and pleasure, and the perpetuating factors like prejudices and fear. He warns against false remedies like blind faith and universal salvation, advocating for a deeper knowledge of true doctrine and a humble approach to reconciliation.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Am I therefore become your enemy - How is it that you are so much altered towards me, that you now treat me as an enemy, who formerly loved me with the most fervent affection? Is it because I tell you the truth; that very truth for which you at first so ardently loved me?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate, "Am I then become your enemy (an enemy in your eyes) by telling you the truth" (Gal 2:5, Gal 2:14)? He plainly did not incur their enmity at his first visit, and the words here imply that he had since then, and before his now writing, incurred it: so that the occasion of his telling them the unwelcome truth, must have been at his second visit (Act 18:23, see my Introduction). The fool and sinner hate a reprover. The righteous love faithful reproof (Psa 141:5; Pro 9:8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
They zealously affect you,.... Or "are jealous of you"; meaning the false apostles, whose names, in contempt, he mentions not, being unworthy to be taken notice of, and their names to be transmitted to posterity. These were jealous of them, not with a godly jealousy, as the apostle was, lest their minds should be corrupted from the simplicity of the Gospel; but they were jealous, lest they should love the apostle more than they, and therefore represented him in a very bad light, and expressed great love and kindness for them themselves: but not well; their zeal and affection were not hearty, and sincere, and without dissimulation, but were all feigned, were only in word and in tongue, not in deed, and in truth: this zealous affection neither proceeded from right principles, nor with right views; they sought themselves, and their own carnal worldly interest, their own pleasure and profit, and not the good and welfare of the souls of these Galatians: yea, they would exclude you; that is, either from the apostle, from bearing any love unto, and having any respect for him. What they were wishing and seeking for was to draw off the minds and affections of these persons from him; or they were desirous of removing them from the Gospel of Christ unto another Gospel, and did all they could to hinder them from obeying the truth; and particularly were for shutting them out of their Christian liberty, and bringing them under the bondage of the law; yea, were for separating them from the churches, that they might set up themselves at the head of them. Some copies read "us", instead of "you"; and then the meaning is, that they were desirous of excluding the apostle from their company, and from having any share in their affections, which makes little alteration in the sense: and others, instead of "exclude", read "include"; and which is confirmed by the Syriac version, which renders the word "but they would include you"; that is, either they would include, or imprison you under the law, and the bondage of it; or they would monopolize you, and engross all your love to themselves; and which is also the sense of the Arabic version: that you might affect them; love them, show respect to them, be on their side, follow their directions, imbibe their doctrines, and give up yourselves wholly to their care, and be at their call and command.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:16 The contrast couldn’t be greater between the Galatians’ acceptance of Paul and his message at the beginning of their Christian life, and their current suspicion or even rejection of him.