Galatians 4:18
16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of 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
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Read in contextRevelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Read in contextPhilippians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Read in contextPsalms 119:139
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Read in context1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Read in contextTitus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Read in contextGalatians 4:13
Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Read in contextIsaiah 59:17
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Read in context