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Selected Verse: Galatians 4:18 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ga 4:18 |
Strong Concordance |
But [1161] it is good [2570] to be zealously affected [2206] always [3842] in [1722] a good [2570] thing, and [2532] not [3361] only [3440] when [1722] I [3165] am present [3918] with [4314] you [5209]. |
| |
King James |
But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
good to be zealously affected--rather, to correspond to "zealously court" in Gal 4:18, "to be zealously courted." I do not find fault with them for zealously courting you, nor with you for being zealously courted: provided it be "in a good cause" (translate so), "it is a good thing" (Co1 9:20-23). My reason for saying the "not well" (Gal 4:17; the Greek is the same as that for "good," and "in a good cause," in Gal 4:28), is that their zealous courting of you is not in a good cause. The older interpreters, however, support English Version (compare Gal 1:14).
always--Translate and arrange the words thus, "At all times, and not only when I am present with you." I do not desire that I exclusively should have the privilege of zealously courting you. Others may do so in my absence with my full approval, if only it be in a good cause, and if Christ be faithfully preached (Phi 1:15-18). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But it is good to be, zealously affected - The meaning of this is, "Understand me: I do not speak against zeal. I have not a word to say in its disparagement. In itself, it is good; and their zeal would be good if it were in a good cause." Probably, they relied much on their zeal; perhaps they maintained, as errorists and deceivers are very apt to do, that zeal was sufficient evidence of the goodness of their cause, and that persons who are so very zealous could not possibly be bad men. How often is this plea set up by the friends of errorists and deceivers!
And not only when I am present with you - It seems to me that there is great adroitness and great delicacy of irony in this remark; and that the apostle intends to remind them as gently as possible, that it would have been as well for them to have shown their zeal in a good cause when he was absent, as well as when he was with them. The sense may be, "You were exceedingly zealous in a good cause when I was with you. You loved the truth; you loved me. Since I left you, and as soon almost as I was out of your sight, your zeal died away, and your ardent love for me was transferred to others. Allow me to remind you, that it would be well to be zealous of good when I am away, as well as when I am with you. There is not much true affection in that which dies away as soon as a man's back is turned." The doctrine is, that true zeal or love will live alike when the object is near and when it is removed; when our friends are present with us, and when they leave us; when their eye is upon us, and when it is turned away. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
It is good - in a good thing
Ζηλοῦσθαι to be zealously sought, in the same sense as before. It is passive. It is good for you Galatians to be zealously sought. In a good thing (ἐν καλῷ) answers to οὐ καλῶς not honorably, Gal 4:17. In a good matter - the interest of the gospel. Thus Paul would say: "These Judaisers zealously strive to win you over to their views; but they do not do this in an honorable way. There is no harm in seeking to interest and enlist you, provided it is in a good cause." |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| In a good thing - In what is really worthy our zeal. True zeal is only fervent love. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
It is good to be zealously affected - It is well to have a determined mind and an ardent heart in reference to things which are laudable and good.
Not only when I am present - You were thus attached to me when I was among you, but now ye have lost both your reverence and affection for me. Your false teachers pretended great concern for you, that you might put all your confidence in them; they have gained their end; they have estranged you from me, and got you to renounce the Gospel, and have brought you again into your former bondage. |
15 Some [5100] indeed [3303] preach [2784] Christ [5547] even [2532] of [1223] envy [5355] and [2532] strife [2054]; and [1161] some [5100] also [2532] of [1223] good will [2107]:
16 The one [3303] preach [2605] Christ [5547] of [1537] contention [2052], not [3756] sincerely [55], supposing [3633] to add [2018] affliction [2347] to my [3450] bonds [1199]:
17 But [1161] the other of [1537] love [26], knowing [1492] that [3754] I am set [2749] for [1519] the defence [627] of the gospel [2098].
18 What [5101] then [1063]? notwithstanding [4133], every [3956] way [5158], whether [1535] in pretence [4392], or [1535] in truth [225], Christ [5547] is preached [2605]; and [2532] I [5463] therein [1722] [5129] do rejoice [5463], yea [235], and [2532] will rejoice [5463].
14 And [2532] profited [4298] in [1722] the Jews' religion [2454] above [5228] many [4183] my equals [4915] in [1722] mine own [3450] nation [1085], being [5225] more exceedingly [4056] zealous [2207] of the traditions [3862] of my [3450] fathers [3967].
28 Now [1161] we [2249], brethren [80], as [2596] Isaac [2464] was [2596], are [2070] the children [5043] of promise [1860].
17 They zealously affect [2206] you [5209], but not [3756] well [2573]; yea [235], they would [2309] exclude [1576] you [5209], that [2443] ye might affect [2206] them [846].
20 And [2532] unto the Jews [2453] I became [1096] as [5613] a Jew [2453], that [2443] I might gain [2770] the Jews [2453]; to them that are under [5259] the law [3551], as [5613] under [5259] the law [3551], that [2443] I might gain [2770] them that are under [5259] the law [3551];
21 To them that are without law [459], as [5613] without law [459], (being [5607] not [3361] without law [459] to God [2316], but [235] under the law [1772] to Christ [5547],) that [2443] I might gain [2770] them that are without law [459].
22 To the weak [772] became I [1096] as [5613] weak [772], that [2443] I might gain [2770] the weak [772]: I am made [1096] all things [3956] to all [3956] men, that [2443] I might [4982] by all means [3843] save [4982] some [5100].
23 And [1161] this [5124] I do [4160] for [1223] the gospel's [2098] sake [1223], that [2443] I might be [1096] partaker [4791] thereof [846] with [4791] you.
18 But [1161] it is good [2570] to be zealously affected [2206] always [3842] in [1722] a good [2570] thing, and [2532] not [3361] only [3440] when [1722] I [3165] am present [3918] with [4314] you [5209].
17 They zealously affect [2206] you [5209], but not [3756] well [2573]; yea [235], they would [2309] exclude [1576] you [5209], that [2443] ye might affect [2206] them [846].