Galatians 4:18
What does Galatians 4:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:18 means
Paul concedes that zeal is good when it is for a good cause and is steady—not only when he is present. True devotion is not performative or dependent on an audience. The Galatians had once shown such sincerity; he urges them to recover it for what is truly good: the gospel and godly living. This verse encourages discernment: evaluate zeal by its object and constancy. Paul subtly contrasts the rivals’ selective ardor with his own enduring concern. He wants them pursued for their benefit at all times, not flattered when convenient. Genuine Christian zeal attaches to Christ’s truth and persists in season and out of season.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But it is good to have an interest in a good cause at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and <FI>it is<Fi> good to be zealously regarded, in what is good, at all times, and not only in my being present with you;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But [it is] right to be zealous at all times in what is right, and not only when I am present with you —
Context
After exposing the false teachers’ manipulative zeal (v. 17), Paul balances the point: zeal itself is not bad; misdirected zeal is. Verse 18 sets a standard for healthy pursuit and prepares for Paul’s affectionate agony in verse 19, where he likens himself to a mother in labor. The flow moves from critique to constructive vision, showing what faithful pastoral passion looks like.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 4:20
but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.
- Isaiah 59:17
And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
- Galatians 4:13
but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:
- Psalms 69:9
For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproach thee are fallen upon me.
- Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
- Philippians 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
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