Galatians 4:16
What does Galatians 4:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:16 means
Paul challenges them: Has he become their enemy by telling them the truth? The question exposes the irrationality of their change in attitude. True love speaks truth even when it stings; enemies flatter for gain. Paul implies that their estrangement owes more to the influence of others than to any change in the gospel he preached. The verse calls believers to measure relationships by fidelity to truth, not by how comfortable a message feels. If correction makes one an enemy, then their allegiance has shifted from Christ-centered faith to teacher-centered approval, which is itself a form of bondage.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So then am I no longer your friend, because I give you true words?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that your enemy have I become, being true to you?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So I have become your enemy in speaking the truth to you?
Context
Having reminded them of past love (vv. 13–15), Paul now confronts the present breach. Verse 16 sharpens the issue: truth versus alienation. It sets up verse 17’s analysis of the motives of the rival teachers, who zealously court the Galatians but for harmful ends. The flow aims to reawaken discernment: compare the truthful friend’s hard words with the manipulator’s flattering zeal.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of Jehovah, so that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken Jehovah, he hath also forsaken you.
- Galatians 5:7
Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?
- 1 Kings 22:27
and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
- John 8:45
But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.
- Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?
- Proverbs 9:8
Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
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