Galatians 4:19
What does Galatians 4:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:19 means
Paul addresses them tenderly as “my little children” and likens himself to a mother in labor, suffering “again” until Christ is formed in them. His goal is not allegiance to himself but the full shaping of Christ’s character in their lives. The imagery conveys pain, persistence, and deep personal involvement. He had already labored once in their conversion; now he endures again for their maturity. This verse defines true ministry: birthing Christlikeness, not building a following. It reminds believers that sanctification is a process sometimes marked by struggle, and that faithful shepherds willingly suffer to see Christ’s image take root in their people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you—
KJV
King James Version · 1611My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you—
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My children, of whom I am again in birth-pains till Christ is formed in you,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862my little children, of whom again I travail in birth, till Christ may be formed in you,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890my children, of whom I again travail in birth until Christ shall have been formed in you:
Context
Following the discussion of zeal (v. 18), Paul reveals his heart. Verse 19 provides a pastoral counterpoint to the rivals’ manipulation—he longs for their transformation in Christ. This prepares for verse 20’s wish to be present and adjust his tone, and then for the return to doctrinal argument using the Law itself in verses 21–31. The sequence marries affection with instruction, showing both the motive and method of correction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philemon 1:19
I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
- 1 John 2:12
I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
- Philippians 2:17
Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:
- Colossians 1:27
to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
- Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
- Ephesians 4:13
till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
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