Galatians 4:18
16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.
Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
- KJV
- But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
- WEB
- But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
- ASV
- But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
- DARBY
- But [it is] right to be zealous at all times in what is right, and not only when I am present with you
- BLB
- Now [it is] good to be zealous in a good [thing], always and not only in my being present with you⁺.
- ÅB
- Men det er godt å vise iver i det gode alltid, og ikke bare når jeg er til stede hos dere.
- OTB
- Det er godt å være ivrig, forutsatt at hensikten er god, og å være det alltid, ikke bare når jeg er hos dere.
- B1930
- Men det er godt å vise iver i det gode alltid, og ikke bare når jeg er til stede hos eder.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Read in contextRevelation 3:19
Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
Read in contextPhilippians 1:27
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Read in contextPsalms 119:139
My zeal has consumed me because my foes forget Your words.
Read in context1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Read in contextTitus 2:14
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Read in contextGalatians 4:13
You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
Read in contextIsaiah 59:17
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
Read in context