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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Galatians 4:19 - 4:19
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
My little children (τεκνία μου)
Only here in Paul, but often in John. See Joh 13:33; 1Jo 2:1, 1Jo 2:12, 1Jo 2:28; 1Jo 3:7, 1Jo 3:18, etc. See on Gal 3:26.
I travail in birth again (πάλιν ὠδίνω)
Better as Rev. of whom I am again in travail. Ὡδίνω only here and Rev 12:2. Gal 4:27 is a quotation. The metaphorical use of the word is frequent in O.T. See Psa 7:14; Sir. 19:11; 31:5; 43:17; Mic 4:10; Isa 26:18; Isa 66:8. Paul means that he is for the second time laboring and distressed for the Galatian converts, with the same anguish which attended his first efforts for their conversion. The metaphor of begetting children in the gospel is found in 1Co 4:15; Phm 1:10. It was a Jewish saying: “If one teaches the son of his neighbor the law, the Scripture reckons this the same as though he had begotten him.”
Until Christ be formed in you (μέχρις οὗ μορφωθῇ Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν)
The forming of Christ in them, their attainment of the complete inner life of Christians, is the object of the new birth. By their relapse they have retarded this result and renewed Paul's spiritual travail. The verb μορφοῦν N.T.o. The idea under different aspects is common. See Rom 8:9; 1Co 2:16; 1Co 6:15; 2Co 3:18; Gal 2:20; Eph 3:17; Col 1:27.