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.
20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
20 Oh, I keep wishing that I was with you. Then I wouldn't be reduced to this blunt, letter-writing language out of sheer frustration.
20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
20 I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don't know how else to help you.
(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 4:19
Commentary on Galatians 4:19-20
(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.