Galatians 4:16 kjv
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:16 nkjv
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:16 niv
Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:16 esv
Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:16 nlt
Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
Galatians 4 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 4:16 | I have become your enemy because I tell you the truth. | Clarifies paul's relationship |
| 2 Corinthians 5:20 | So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were making his appeal through us. | Paul's ministry |
| Galatians 1:6 | I am astonished that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel— | Galatians' deviation |
| Galatians 3:1 | O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? | Paul's rebuke |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:4 | But as we were qualified by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. | Paul's motivation |
| Acts 4:19-20 | But Peter and John said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” | Speaking the truth |
| John 8:32 | and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” | The power of truth |
| John 18:37 | Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to my voice.” | Jesus' witness to truth |
| Proverbs 27:6 | Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. | Nature of truthful correction |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | For the time is coming when people will not endure the sound doctrine, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers, to suit their own passions, | Warning about rejection |
| Romans 11:13 | Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry— | Paul's gentile audience |
| Acts 13:46 | And Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it away and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” | Rejection of the word |
| 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 | But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even condemn myself. | Paul's self-assessment |
| 1 Corinthians 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. | Grace as the basis |
| Ephesians 5:11 | Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. | Exposing error |
| Galatians 2:14 | But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?” | Confrontation for truth |
| Galatians 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. | Freedom in Christ |
| Galatians 1:10 | For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. | Pleasing God |
| 2 Corinthians 10:8 | For even if I boast a little strongly of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I shall not be put to shame. | Authority for building |
| 1 Peter 3:15 | but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | Defense of the faith |
| John 3:20 | For everyone who does bad hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. | Opposition to truth |
Galatians 4 verses
Galatians 4 16 Meaning
I have become your enemy because I tell you the truth. This verse expresses the Apostle Paul's anguish and rhetorical question regarding the Galatians' drift from the Gospel. It highlights the painful reality that speaking the truth, especially in challenging circumstances, can alienate those who are being confronted. Paul, a former persecutor of the church, now finds himself perceived as an adversary by the Galatian believers due to his faithful proclamation of the Gospel.
Galatians 4 16 Context
The letter to the Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul to churches in the region of Galatia. These churches, established by Paul himself, were now facing a serious threat from "Judaizers"—teachers who insisted that Gentile believers must adopt Jewish customs, particularly circumcision, in addition to faith in Christ, to be truly saved. Paul wrote this letter to forcefully refute this false gospel and to remind the Galatians of the liberating truth of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Chapter 4 contrasts the Old Covenant (represented by Hagar and Mount Sinai) with the New Covenant (represented by Sarah and heavenly Jerusalem). Paul argues that believers are children of the free woman (Sarah), not the slave woman (Hagar), meaning they are under grace and freedom, not under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation. In the preceding verses (4:8-15), Paul recounts how the Galatians had previously received him with open arms, even willing to give their eyes for him. He emphasizes that their current alienation and antagonism towards him is a direct result of his faithful preaching of the truth of the Gospel.
Galatians 4 16 Word Analysis
- I (ego) - The first-person singular pronoun. Paul uses this personal pronoun to emphasize his individual experience and the direct confrontation with the Galatians.
- have become (gegonas) - A perfect tense verb indicating a completed action that has a present result. Paul states that this opposition is not a new or temporary situation but an established reality.
- your enemy (echthros hymōn) - "Echthros" signifies an enemy, an opponent, or an adversary, often one with deep-seated hostility. The plural possessive "hymōn" (your) shows that this is the perception of the Galatian community as a whole, or at least a significant portion of it.
- because (hoti) - A conjunction introducing the reason or cause for this enmity.
- I tell the truth (alētheuō) - From "alētheuō," meaning to speak the truth, to be truthful, or to act truthfully. Paul unequivocally states that the source of their animosity is his fidelity to the truth of the Gospel. He is not speaking lies or manipulating them, but rather being honest and forthright. This contrasts with the deceptive teachings of the Judaizers.
Words-Group Analysis:
- I have become your enemy because I tell you the truth: This entire phrase captures the paradox of presenting a true message and facing rejection for it. It implies a direct correlation: as Paul remains true to the Gospel, the Galatians, swayed by opposing influences, increasingly perceive him as an adversary. This isn't about Paul actively trying to be an enemy, but rather the natural consequence of standing for truth against a community that is moving away from it. It is a testament to the challenging nature of spiritual leadership and evangelism where confrontation with error is sometimes unavoidable and leads to painful division. The truth, as revealed in the Gospel of Christ, becomes the dividing line.
Galatians 4 16 Bonus Section
The sentiment expressed here resonates with many who have experienced familial or communal rejection for holding firm to biblical truths. The struggle Paul describes is not just about theological disagreement, but about the relational fallout when that disagreement touches upon fundamental aspects of identity and belonging. The fact that Paul uses the perfect tense for "have become" suggests this antagonism has reached a settled state, and it’s a stark contrast to their earlier affection. This verse is a powerful example of Christian pastoral leadership, demonstrating that love for people must be coupled with a fearless commitment to truth, even when that truth proves divisive.
Galatians 4 16 Commentary
Paul's statement reveals a profound tension inherent in ministry: the truth, which is meant to liberate, can often cause offense and alienation. The Galatians, having embraced a distorted gospel that mixed works of the Law with faith in Christ, found Paul's uncompromising insistence on salvation by grace alone uncomfortable. His message challenged their new teachers and their adopted practices. This verse highlights that loyalty to God’s truth can indeed lead to social and relational opposition, even from those who were once receptive. Paul does not retract his message to gain favor; instead, he prioritizes faithfulness to the Gospel above maintaining superficial peace. This serves as a timeless reminder that proclaiming the unvarnished truth of Christ often comes at a cost, making the speaker an antagonist in the eyes of those who prefer comfort or error.