Galatians 4:17

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

Literal

They are zealous for you, not nobly, but they want to exclude you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.

Latin

Æmulantur vos non bene: sed excludere vos volunt, ut illos æmulemini.

Original

Greek

English

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.

Notes

Galatians 4:17

Those people are zealous for you: The Greek word here can mean have a positive meaning, like "eagerness," or a negative meaning, like "jealousy" and "envy."
they want to isolate you from us: The Judaizers (Jewish Christians insisting on following Jewish laws) might have been so eager because they envied the Galatians’ devotion to Paul and instead wanted the Galatians to be devoted to them (compare 2 Corinthians; see also Luke 11:46–52). Another possibility is that the Judaizers wanted the Galatians to depend on them as interpreters of the law of Moses.

Galatians 4:12–20

After explaining what the Bible teaches, Paul takes a more personal approach. He reminds the Galatians of their close relationship with him.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Related verses

2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Romans 16:18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
2 Peter 2:3
In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
1 Corinthians 4:8
Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
Matthew 23:15
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:18
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
2 Peter 2:18
With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
Romans 10:2
For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
Galatians 6:12–13
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
Philippians 2:21
For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Faith Letter to the Galatians Peter, Second Letter of

Topics

Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate Love: Exemplification of the Love of Man for Man Religious Zeal without Knowledge The Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate

Galatians 4:17

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics