Galatians 4:14 kjv
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:14 nkjv
And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:14 niv
and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
Galatians 4:14 esv
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:14 nlt
But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself.
Galatians 4 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 4:14 | And you did not reject or despise me, though my condition was a trial for you, but welcomed me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. | Paul's esteemed reception |
| Galatians 4:15 | What then was the blessing you felt? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. | High esteem for Paul |
| 2 Corinthians 12:11 | I have become a fool—you forced me to it. For I ought to have been commended by you. I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. | Paul's self-defense against detractors |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:13 | And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. | Acceptance of the preached word |
| John 13:20 | Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one whom I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. | Receiving the messenger is receiving Christ |
| Acts 14:11-12 | And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. | Association with divine beings |
| 1 Corinthians 2:5 | that your faith might not depend on the wisdom of men but on the power of God. | Faith based on God's power |
| Romans 10:14 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? | The role of the preacher |
| 2 Corinthians 8:23 | As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. | Partners in the Gospel |
| Hebrews 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? | Angels as ministering spirits |
| Matthew 10:40 | Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. | Reception of disciples |
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." | God looks at the heart |
| Philippians 2:7 | but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. | Christ's humble form |
| Ephesians 4:11-12 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, | Spiritual gifts and roles |
| Galatians 1:6 | I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— | Warning against departure from the Gospel |
| 2 Corinthians 11:14 | And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. | Deception by false teachers |
| Colossians 2:18 | Let no one disqualify you, insisting on humility and worship of angels, going on about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, | Warning against angel worship |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Discernment of spirits |
| Luke 10:16 | "The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me." | Listening to the Apostles |
| Matthew 18:5 | Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me. | Receiving children in His name |
| Acts 5:4 | ...It was not to men that you lied, but to God. | Lying to the Holy Spirit |
| 2 Kings 4:29 | Then he said to Gehazi, "Gird up your loins and take this staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the boy." | Gehazi's errand |
| Genesis 21:17 | God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is." | Angelic intervention |
Galatians 4 verses
Galatians 4 14 Meaning
The Galatian believers did not despise or reject Paul. Instead, they welcomed him as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. This indicates a profound respect and affirmation of Paul's ministry and message.
Galatians 4 14 Context
In Galatians chapter 4, Paul is addressing the Galatian churches, who are being influenced by false teachers promoting a return to Jewish legalism. These false teachers (often referred to as Judaizers) were teaching that circumcision and adherence to the Law of Moses were necessary for salvation. Paul argues passionately against this, asserting that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
He uses an allegory of Abraham's two sons, Ishmael (born of a slave woman, Hagar) and Isaac (born of a free woman, Sarah), to represent the two covenants. Those who rely on the Law are like Ishmael, born into slavery, while believers in Christ are like Isaac, born free through the covenant of grace.
In this specific verse (4:14), Paul is contrasting their past receptiveness to him with their current susceptibility to these false teachings. He reminds them that when he first came to them, despite his physical "trial" (likely referring to his debilitating illness mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10), they did not reject him but received him with honor and esteem, as if he were a divine messenger or even Christ Himself. This sets the stage for him to emphasize that their current drifting from the gospel is a profound rejection of the truth they initially embraced.
Galatians 4 14 Word Analysis
- καὶ (kai): "and". A common conjunction connecting clauses or ideas. Here, it links the past receptiveness with the specific way they received him.
- ἡ (hē): "the". Definite article.
- δοκιμὴ (dokimē): "trial", "proof", "examination". The word implies something that is tested or put to the test. Here, Paul refers to his condition as a trial for them, suggesting that his physical affliction was a potential test of their commitment to his message. It's an outward "proof" or "test" of their sincerity.
- ὑμῶν (humōn): "your". Possessive pronoun.
- ἐστιν (estin): "is". The verb "to be".
- ἀπεστρεψάσασθε (apestrepasasthē): "you did not turn away from", "you did not reject", "you did not despise". The verb is from apostrephō, which means to turn away, turn back, reject. It’s in the aorist passive indicative, second person plural. The passive voice indicates something done to them rather than by them. In this context, it carries the strong sense of not repulsing or spurning him. The context implies they could have easily rejected him due to his physical infirmity.
- ἐπιδεῖν (epidein): "to look upon", "to behold", "to regard". In the infinitive form, used here after apestrepasasthē. The literal sense might be "you did not look upon [me] with contempt". The verb epideō implies looking with interest or regarding something. The negative "did not" before the infinitival phrase intensifies the rejection. They did not so much as glance at him with disregard.
- ἀλλ’ (all'): "but", "but rather". A strong adversative conjunction, contrasting the expected rejection with their actual reception.
- ὡς (hōs): "as", "like". A conjunction of manner or comparison.
- ἄγγελον (angelon): "angel". Accusative singular of angelos. Refers to a heavenly messenger. Paul's reception was so profound they viewed him as a divine messenger. This elevation suggests they recognized his message as divinely commissioned and authoritative.
- θεοῦ (theou): "of God". Genitive singular of theos. "An angel of God".
- ἤ (ē): "or", "even". Can function as a comparison or a copulative.
- Χριστοῦ (Christou): "of Christ". Genitive singular of Christos. "Even as Christ Jesus". This elevates their reception of Paul to the highest possible honor, comparing it to receiving Christ Himself.
Word-Group Analysis:
- "my condition was a trial for you": Paul acknowledges that his physical ailment ("the trial") could have been a reason for them to reject him, yet they did not. The word "trial" (dokimē) can also mean a test, implying his presence was a test of their sincerity and commitment.
- "you did not despise or reject me": The two verbs apestrepasasthē and epidein (with the negative) convey a strong double negative. They not only avoided outright rejection but also looked upon him without contempt, showing remarkable acceptance and honor.
- "welcomed me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus": This phrase highlights the extraordinary welcome. They saw in Paul's ministry a divine endorsement, a conduit of God's word, and ultimately, a representative of Christ.
Galatians 4 14 Bonus Section
The intensity of their initial welcome ("plucked out your eyes" as per 4:15) demonstrates that their rejection of Paul's ministry now is not due to a lack of initial belief in him but a falling prey to the subtle perversions of the false teachers. The dual comparison ("angel of God, even as Christ Jesus") emphasizes the superlative esteem they held for Paul, treating him as an indispensable emissary of heaven and an extension of Christ’s own presence and authority among them. This reinforces Paul’s point that they are abandoning something truly precious and divinely validated.
Galatians 4 14 Commentary
Paul's statement emphasizes the depth of respect the Galatians initially had for him, especially considering he acknowledges his "trial" – his likely physical illness that might have been a cause for their hesitation. They looked past his outward appearance or physical weakness and embraced the divine message he conveyed. Their reception of Paul was akin to receiving a heavenly messenger or even Christ Himself. This fervent welcome underscored the profound impact of the Gospel message and Paul’s authentic ministry. It also serves as a powerful contrast to their current drifting towards legalism, suggesting they are now turning away from a messenger and a message they once held in the highest regard. This elevates the gravity of their deviation from the true gospel.