Galatians 4:15

Galatians 4:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
• New International Version (NIV)Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible.

Context of Galatians 4:15

13You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14And 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. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

Galatians 4:15 word by word

Ποῦ οὖν ὁ μακαρισμὸς ὑμῶν; μαρτυρῶ γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι, εἰ δυνατόν, τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν ἐξορύξαντες ἐδώκατέ μοι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereτίςtis · which?G5101
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• the blessednessὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the blessednessμακαρισμόςmakarismos · blessednessG3108
• ye spake ofσύsu · youG4771
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• I bearμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• possibleδυνατόςdunatos · ableG1415
• ye would have plucked outἐξορύσσωexorussō · to dig through/outG1846
• eyesὀφθαλμόςophthalmos · eyeG3788
• ·ἄνan · ifG302
• and have given themδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• to meἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for Galatians 4:15

• Galatians 3:14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
• Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
• Galatians 6:4But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
• Luke 8:13But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
• Romans 4:6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
• Romans 5:2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
• Romans 15:13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 10:2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
• 2 Corinthians 8:3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
• Colossians 4:13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
• Galatians 4:19My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
• Romans 9:3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
• 1 John 3:16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Commentaries on Galatians 4:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? - Ye spake of should be in italics, there being no corresponding word in the Greek text. Perhaps there is not a sentence in the New Testament more variously translated than this. I shall give the original: ̔ ̔· What was then your blessedness! Or, How great was your happiness at that time! Or, What blessings did ye then pour on me! It is worthy of remark, that, instead of , what, ABCFG, several others, the older…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15Where is then the blessedness - Margin, “What was” - in accordance with the Greek. The words “ye spake of” are not in the Greek, and should have been printed in italics. But they obscure the sense at any rate. This is not to be regarded as a question, asking what had become of the blessedness, implying that it had departed; but it is rather to be regarded as an exclamation, referring to the happiness of that moment, and their affection and joy when they…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him respecting the law of Moses, as well as united with him in love. In reproving others, we should take care to convince them that our reproofs are from sincere regard to the honour of God and religion and their welfare. The apostle reminds the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came among them. But he notices, that he was a welcome messenger to them. Yet…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15The Galatians were happy and thankful when Paul shared the good news about Jesus with them. you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me: Some think this means Paul had eye problems, but he might have used eyes as a symbol for something valuable (see Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8; Matthew 18:9). The Galatians were thankful for Pual's message of good news. So, the Galatians would have given Paul their most valuable possession.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Where, &c.--Of what value was your congratulation (so the Greek for "blessedness" expresses) of yourselves, on account of your having among you me, the messenger of the Gospel, considering how entirely you have veered about since? Once you counted yourselves blessed in being favored with my ministry. ye would have plucked out your own eyes--one of the dearest members of the body--so highly did you value me: a proverbial phrase for the greatest…Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 4:15

• Affections
• Love

In the dictionaries

• Doubt
• Flesh
• Observe
• Zealously
• Blessedness
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle
• Thorn in the Flesh
• Paul

Commentaries on Galatians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings