Galatians 4:13

13 You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.

Galatians 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 4:13

Ye know how, through infirmity of the flesh
Meaning either their infirmity, to which the apostle accommodated himself in preaching the Gospel to them, delivering it in such a manner as suited with their capacities, feeding them with milk, and not with strong meat; or his own infirmity, respecting either some particular bodily infirmity and disorder, as the headache, with which he is said to be greatly troubled; or the weakness of his bodily presence, the mean outward appearance he made, the contemptibleness of his voice, and the great humility with which he behaved; or rather the many reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions which attended him, when, says he,

I preached the Gospel unto you at the first;
not the law, but the Gospel; and this he did at his first entrance among them, and was the first that preached it to them, and was the means of their conversion; and therefore, being their spiritual Father, they ought to be as he was, and follow him as they had him for an example.

Galatians 4:13 In-Context

11 I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.

12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.

13 You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.

14 And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.

15 What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.