Galatians 4:18

But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

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.

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.

BBE

But it is good to have an interest in a good cause at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

Original Greek

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καλὸν kalon Good [it is] G2570 δὲ de now G1161 τὸ to (the) G3588 ζηλοῦσθαι zēlousthai to be zealous G2206 ἐν en in G1722 καλῷ kalō a right [thing] G2570 πάντοτε pantote at all times G3842 καὶ kai and G2532 μὴ mē not G3361 μόνον monon only G3441 ἐν en in G1722 τῷ tō (the) G3588 παρεῖναί pareinai being present G3918 με me me G3165 πρὸς pros with G4314 ὑμᾶς humas you G4771

The early church

Here he hints that his absence had been the cause of this, and that the true blessing was for disciples to hold right opinions not only in the presence but also in the absence of their master. But as they had not arrived at this point of perfection, he makes every effort to place them there.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Galatians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 12–18

The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him respecting the law of Moses, as well as united with him in love. In reproving others, we should take care to convince them that our reproofs are from sincere regard to the honour of God and religion and their welfare. The apostle reminds the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came among them. But he notices, that he was a welcome messenger to them. Yet how very uncertain are the favour and respect of men! Let us labour to be accepted of God. You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now reason to think otherwise? Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others. The false teachers who drew the Galatians from the truth of the gospel were designing men. They pretended affection, but they were not sincere and upright. An excellent rule is given. It is good to be zealous always in a good thing; not for a time only, or now and then, but always. Happy would it be for the church of Christ, if this zeal was better maintained.

Read Matthew Henry on Galatians 4 →

Cross-references

12

Topics

Zeal, ReligiousAffections

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.