Galatians 4:13

Paul’s Personal Appeal

13 But you know that because of an illness of the flesh I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time.

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 am afraid [for] you, lest perhaps I have labored for you in vain!

12 I ask you, brothers, become like me, because I also [have become] like you. You have done me no [wrong]!

13 But you know that because of an illness of the flesh I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time.

14 And you did not despise or disdain [what was] a trial for you in my flesh, but you welcomed me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus.

15 So where [is] your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes [and] given [them] to me!