Galatians 4:12 kjv
Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Galatians 4:12 nkjv
Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.
Galatians 4:12 niv
I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.
Galatians 4:12 esv
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.
Galatians 4:12 nlt
Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles ? free from those laws. You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.
Galatians 4 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 4:12 | "I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I am like you." | Direct statement of plea |
| Galatians 5:1 | "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then..." | Freedom in Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 | "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone..." | Paul's adaptation for the gospel |
| Philippians 3:17 | "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we give you." | Following Paul's example |
| 1 Corinthians 11:1 | "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." | Following Christ through Paul |
| Romans 15:5-6 | "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of one another..." | Unity and common mindset |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with each other..." | Plea for unity |
| Acts 16:1-3 | "Paul took Timothy with him; and all the Jews who were in that region, then took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that locality..." | Paul's adaptation (circumcision) |
| 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 | "Nevertheless, each person should live as a servant to whom the Lord has assigned, and to whom Christ called." | Living according to one's calling |
| John 13:34-35 | "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." | Love as a distinguishing mark |
| Galatians 3:26-28 | "For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free..." | Equality in Christ |
| Romans 12:2 | "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." | Transformation and conformity |
| Colossians 3:10-11 | "...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew..." | New self, renewed in Christ |
| 1 Peter 2:16 | "Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a covering for evil; live as God’s slaves." | Freedom and responsible living |
| Ephesians 4:1-3 | "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle..." | Living worthy of calling |
| 1 Corinthians 7:23 | "Buy them and, when you eat and drink, remember that he made you free. For you were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." | Bought with a price |
| Romans 8:14-17 | "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ... If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God..." | Led by the Spirit, children of God |
| Philippians 2:5 | "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." | Christlike attitude |
| Galatians 2:14 | "When I saw that they were not acting justly in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all..." | Confronting error |
| Galatians 5:25 | "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." | Walking in step with the Spirit |
Galatians 4 verses
Galatians 4 12 Meaning
The Apostle Paul is urging the Galatian believers to live as he does, embracing spiritual freedom and maturity in Christ. He implores them to adopt his way of life and his perspective, mirroring his personal decision to live under grace rather than the Mosaic Law. This implies a plea for unity in their Christian walk and a rejection of those who were legalistically pushing them back towards the Law.
Galatians 4 12 Context
This verse appears in the latter part of Galatians chapter 4, a chapter where Paul is contrasting life under the Law with life under grace through the Holy Spirit. He uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate that believers are children of promise, not born of legalistic bondage but of spiritual liberty. Previously, in chapter 4, Paul discussed their adoption as sons and expressed his concern for them. The preceding verses (Galatians 4:8-11) show Paul reflecting on their past state in idolatry and then on their current departure from his teaching. This verse serves as a transition, moving from his expression of pastoral concern and remembrance of their former lives to a direct appeal for them to live as he lives, which is a life of freedom in Christ, free from the bondage of the Law.
Galatians 4 12 Word Analysis
- I (ego - ἐγώ): Refers to the Apostle Paul, the author.
- implore/beseech/beg (deomai - δέομαι): A strong word indicating a humble and earnest plea. It suggests deep earnestness and a lack of compulsion, a heartfelt request.
- you (humas - ὑμᾶς): Plural pronoun, referring to the Galatian believers collectively.
- brothers (adelphoi - ἀδελφοί): Refers to the male believers, but generally used inclusively for fellow believers as spiritual siblings in Christ. This term underscores the familial relationship within the Christian community.
- become (ginesthe - γίνεσθε): Second person plural, present passive imperative of ginomai (γίνομαι). This indicates a continuous action, a process of becoming or growing into something, not a static state. It implies a willing transformation and participation.
- like (hōs - ὡς): A particle of comparison, meaning "as" or "like."
- me (eme - ἐμέ): First person singular, objective case. Refers directly to Paul's own conduct, lifestyle, and spiritual state.
- for (gar - γάρ): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation.
- I (ego - ἐγώ): Again, Paul referring to himself.
- am (eimi - εἰμί): Present tense of the verb "to be."
- like (hōs - ὡς): Again, a particle of comparison.
- you (hymeis - ὑμεῖς): Second person plural pronoun, referring back to the Galatian believers.
Phrase/Passage Analysis:
- "become like me, for I am like you": This is a reciprocal plea. Paul asks them to imitate his life and values (his spiritual maturity, his freedom in Christ, his commitment to the gospel) because he has already adapted his life to be more like them in their unpretentious Christian walk. He mirrored their simplicity in faith, adapting his approach to connect with them effectively, demonstrating a love and humility that sought their spiritual well-being over strict adherence to outward forms, especially after their conversion from paganism.
Galatians 4 12 Bonus Section
The "I am like you" portion is crucial. It implies Paul had met them where they were. This mirrors his actions in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 where he states, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I may save some." This demonstrates a Christ-like kenōsis (emptying Himself), prioritizing the winning of souls and their spiritual growth above maintaining his own rights or adhering strictly to cultural norms that were not gospel-imperative. He wasn't becoming like them in their straying from the gospel, but in a posture of humble identification for the sake of their faith. His desire is for them to attain the spiritual maturity and liberty he possesses, which comes from embracing their identity as children of promise through Christ, rather than returning to a system that would enslave them to a "works" mentality.
Galatians 4 12 Commentary
Paul's appeal to the Galatians is deeply personal and pastoral. He wants them to embrace the freedom he enjoys in Christ, a freedom from legalistic observance and from a self-reliant righteousness. He models this freedom himself, stating "I am like you" because he had set aside all rigid adherence to pre-conversion customs (like Hagar/Ishmael's path) to walk with them in spiritual liberty (like Sarah/Isaac's path), thereby adapting his outward manner to their context without compromising the gospel. He essentially asks them to "come home" to the spiritual reality he lives in, to live by the Spirit, just as he does, forsaking the attempted justification through the Law that some were pushing upon them. This call for conformity to his Christ-like walk highlights the unity in the body of Christ, urging them to reject divisive teachings and embrace the core of the gospel.