Galatians 4:13

13 and ye have known that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the first,

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 of you, lest in vain I did labour toward you.

12 Become as I [am] -- because I also [am] as ye brethren, I beseech you; to me ye did no hurt,

13 and ye have known that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the first,

14 and my trial that [is] in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me -- as Christ Jesus;

15 what then was your happiness? for I testify to you, that if possible, your eyes having plucked out, ye would have given to me;