Galatians 4:14
What does Galatians 4:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:14 means
Despite Paul’s bodily trial, the Galatians did not despise or reject him. Instead, they received him “as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” This shows their former discernment and love. They valued the message more than the messenger’s appearance. To welcome God’s servant is to welcome the One who sent him. The verse implicitly critiques their current attitude influenced by teachers who prize outward marks. Their earlier response was Spirit-wrought honor for the gospel itself. Paul holds up this memory to ask why, having once embraced him so warmly, they would now turn from the same truth he still proclaims with the same sincere heart.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And you did not have a poor opinion of me because of the trouble in my flesh, or put shame on it; but you took me to your hearts as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and my trial that <FI>is<Fi> in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me--as Christ Jesus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and my temptation, which [was] in my flesh, ye did not slight nor reject with contempt; but ye received me as an angel ofGod, as Christ Jesus.
Context
Verse 14 continues the recollection of the Galatians’ original warmth, begun in verse 13. It heightens the contrast for verse 15’s lament over their lost sense of blessing. The line “even as Christ Jesus” ties their past reception directly to their relationship with Christ, making their present drift more serious. The flow leads to a probing question in verse 16 about whether truth-telling has made Paul their enemy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13
And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
- 2 Samuel 14:17
Then thy handmaid said, Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be comfortable; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: and Jehovah thy God be with thee.
- Galatians 4:13
but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:
- John 13:20
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
- Zechariah 12:8
In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.
- Luke 10:16
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.
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