Galatians 4:18

But it is good to be an object of zeal in what is good always, and not only when I am present with you.

Noyes Bible

In The King James Version

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

In Context

17They show a zeal for you, but not in honesty; yea, they wish to exclude you, that ye may be zealous for them.

19My children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you,—

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Cross References

Psalms 69:9For zeal for thy house consumeth me, And the reproaches of them that reproach thee fall upon me.

Isaiah 59:17He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And the helmet of salvation upon his head; He put on garments of vengeance for his clothing, And clad himself with zeal, as with a mantle.

1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 4:20I could wish indeed to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am in perplexity about you.

Philippians 2:12So then, my beloved, as ye always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.

Matthew Henry on Galatians 4:18-19

Affectionate Remonstrance. ( a. d. 56.) 17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. The apostle is still carrying on the same design as in the foregoing verses , which was, to convince the Galatians of their sin and folly in departing from the truth of the gospel: having just before been expostulating with them about the change of their behaviour… Read the whole commentary →

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