Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Galatians 4:18 - 4:18
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Gal 4:18. Καλὸν δὲ, but it is good) He advises them not to allow themselves to be excluded.-τὸ ζηλοῦσθαι) After the active he uses the middle. It is the duty of Paul in the name of Christ ζηλοῦν, 2Co 11:2 : it is the part of the Church, as the bride, ζηλοῦσθαι, to respond to the ardent love [of the Bridegroom and of His minister], to kindle zeal by zeal (see Chrys.), to be zealous for one another [zelare inter se, to love zealously among themselves]; τὸ makes an emphatic addition [Epitasis. See Append.]-ἐν καλῷ, in a good thing) when the matter in hand is good. ἐν τῷ παρεῖναι, when I am present, answers to this; and so also πάντοτε, always, corresponds to it. The latter is the time in general, while the expression, when I am present, is the time in particular, and that too modified so as at the same time to comprehend the ground of that zeal on their part, viz. that they had been able to exult, as they had done, at the presence of Paul: the ἐν καλῷ is in consonance with ἐν τῷ παρεῖναι, and may be taken with always for one idea, Whensoever any good thing is presented in your way, and not merely when I am present.-ἐν τῷ παρεῖναί με, when I am present) They had formerly shown towards Paul, when present, great earnestness [zeal] of love, and had in turn sharpened the zeal of Paul, Gal 4:15.