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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 4:19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/48_Gal_04_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:19 - Paul's Fears for the Galatians" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/4-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/4-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/4-18.htm" title="Galatians 4:18">◄</a> Galatians 4:19 <a href="/galatians/4-20.htm" title="Galatians 4:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a> My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> My children, of whom I travail again until that Christ shall have been formed in you, <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you— <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you? <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My children, I am in terrible pain until Christ may be seen living in you. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you, <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until Christ is formed in you. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ's nature is formed in you. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until the Messiah is formed in you. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> My children--I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you! <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you-- <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you, <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> you for whom I am again, as it were, undergoing the pains of childbirth, until Christ is fully formed within you.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> My little children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> my little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ may be formed in you, <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> My children, of whom I travail again until that Christ shall have been formed in you, <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> my little children, of whom again I travail in birth, till Christ may be formed in you, <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> My children, for whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> My little sons, I am giving birth to you again, until Christ is formed in you. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> My children, for whom I am again in labor until Christ be formed in you! <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> My little children, for whom I am in travail again, until Christ be a reality in you, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> My children, those for whom I am in labor again until The Messiah shall be formed in you,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> My little children, for whom I again suffer the pains of gestation, till Christ be formed in you, <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> My children, for whom I again travail in pain until Christ may be formed in you, <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> My little children of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you, <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> my dear children, how am I in pain, till Christ be formed in you? <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> you for whom I am again, as it were, undergoing the pains of childbirth, until Christ is fully formed within you. <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> my little children, for whom I am in travail again, until Christ be formed in you! <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> My little children, of whom I do as it were travail in birth again, <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=856" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Paul's Fears for the Galatians</a> …18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you. 19<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: Tekna (N-VNP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">children,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hous (RelPro-AMP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">for whom</a> <a href="/greek/3825.htm" title="3825: palin (Adv) -- Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.">I am again</a> <a href="/greek/5605.htm" title="5605: ōdinō (V-PIA-1S) -- To be in travail, suffer birth-pangs. From odin; to experience the pains of parturition.">in the pains of childbirth</a> <a href="/greek/3360.htm" title="3360: mechris (Prep) -- As far as, until, even to. ">until</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hou (RelPro-GMS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/3445.htm" title="3445: morphōthē (V-ASP-3S) -- To form, fashion, shape, mold. From the same as morphe; to fashion.">is formed</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a> For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">2 Corinthians 3:18</a> And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Ephesians 4:13</a> until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. <a href="/colossians/1-27.htm">Colossians 1:27-28</a> To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. / We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a> being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. <a href="/1_john/3-2.htm">1 John 3:2</a> Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">1 Corinthians 4:15</a> Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-7.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:7-8</a> On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. / We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us. <a href="/2_peter/1-4.htm">2 Peter 1:4</a> Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. <a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Hebrews 12:5-11</a> And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ... <a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3-7</a> Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” / “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” / Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ... <a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23</a> For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. <a href="/isaiah/53-11.htm">Isaiah 53:11</a> After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a> “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,little.<a href="/1_corinthians/4-14.htm">1 Corinthians 4:14</a> I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.<a href="/1_timothy/1-2.htm">1 Timothy 1:2</a> Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.<a href="/titus/1-4.htm">Titus 1:4</a> To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.of.<a href="/numbers/11-11.htm">Numbers 11:11,12</a> And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? … <a href="/isaiah/53-11.htm">Isaiah 53:11</a> He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.<a href="/luke/22-44.htm">Luke 22:44</a> And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.Christ.<a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a> For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.<a href="/romans/13-14.htm">Romans 13:14</a> But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.<a href="/ephesians/4-24.htm">Ephesians 4:24</a> And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/2-15.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-24.htm">Birth-Pains</a> <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Childbirth</a> <a href="/galatians/4-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-19.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-5.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-16.htm">Little</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-21.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-27.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-2.htm">Undergoing</a> <a href="/galatians/2-8.htm">Within</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">You</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Birth-Pains</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-15.htm">Childbirth</a> <a href="/galatians/4-24.htm">Children</a> <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-12.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/galatians/5-9.htm">Little</a> <a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm">Undergoing</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-7.htm">Within</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">You</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div>1. <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.</a> 5. <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a> 7. <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a> 22. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>My children Paul uses the term "children" to express his deep affection and spiritual responsibility for the Galatian believers. This familial language indicates a close, nurturing relationship, similar to that of a parent to a child. In the broader biblical context, this reflects the idea of spiritual parenthood, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">1 Corinthians 4:15</a>, where Paul refers to himself as a father through the gospel. This term underscores the intimate bond and the pastoral care Paul feels for the Galatians.for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth Paul employs the metaphor of childbirth to describe his intense emotional and spiritual labor for the Galatians. This imagery is powerful, conveying both the pain and the hope associated with childbirth. Historically, childbirth was a significant and often perilous event, which adds gravity to Paul's metaphor. The use of "again" suggests that Paul has previously experienced this struggle, likely referring to his initial efforts in establishing the Galatian church. This metaphor is unique in Paul's writings, emphasizing the depth of his concern and the intensity of his efforts to see the Galatians mature in their faith.until Christ is formed in you The phrase "Christ is formed in you" speaks to the process of spiritual formation and maturity. It implies a transformation where the character and life of Christ become evident in the believer. This concept is central to Paul's theology, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a>, where believers are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Theologically, this reflects the sanctification process, where believers grow to reflect Christ's nature. The use of "formed" suggests an ongoing process, indicating that spiritual maturity is not instantaneous but requires time and effort. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of transformation and renewal, as seen in <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">2 Corinthians 3:18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, expressing his deep pastoral concern for the spiritual development of the Galatian believers. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatian_believers.htm">Galatian Believers</a> The recipients of the letter, who were being influenced by Judaizers to follow the Jewish law in addition to the gospel of Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group of Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to certain Jewish laws, particularly circumcision, to be truly saved. 4. <a href="/topical/c/christ.htm">Christ</a> Central to Paul's message, emphasizing the formation of Christ's character within the believers. 5. <a href="/topical/c/childbirth_imagery.htm">Childbirth Imagery</a> Paul uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe his intense labor and concern for the spiritual maturity of the Galatians.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_formation.htm">Spiritual Formation</a> The ultimate goal of Christian life is to have Christ formed within us. This involves a transformation that affects every aspect of our being. <a href="/topical/p/pastoral_concern.htm">Pastoral Concern</a> Like Paul, spiritual leaders should deeply care for the spiritual growth of those they shepherd, sometimes experiencing personal anguish over their spiritual state. <a href="/topical/r/resisting_false_teachings.htm">Resisting False Teachings</a> Believers must be vigilant against teachings that add to or distort the gospel of Christ, ensuring that their faith remains rooted in grace. <a href="/topical/t/the_pain_of_discipleship.htm">The Pain of Discipleship</a> Spiritual growth can be painful and laborious, akin to childbirth, but it is necessary for maturity in Christ. <a href="/topical/c/christ-centered_living.htm">Christ-Centered Living</a> Our lives should reflect the character and priorities of Christ, demonstrating His love, humility, and righteousness in our daily actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4</a> <a href="/q/how_is_christ_being_formed_in_you.htm">How is Christ being formed in you?</a> <a href="/q/is_'wall_of_separation'_in_the_constitution.htm">How is Christ being formed in you?</a> <a href="/q/order_of_jesus'_disciples'_calling.htm">What does 'travail' mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/is_paul's_distress_in_2_cor_2_4_genuine.htm">In 2 Corinthians 2:4, is Paul’s emotional distress genuine or a literary device to manipulate his readers? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) My little children.--The form is a diminutive, not found elsewhere in the writings of St. Paul, though common in St. John. It is used to heighten the tenderness of the appeal. The simple form, however, "my children," is found in some of the best MSS., and perhaps should be adopted. St. Paul regards as his spiritual children all who first received the gospel from him.Of whom I travail in birth again.--The struggle which ends in the definite winning over of his converts to Christ, the Apostle compares to the process of birth by which "a man is born into the world." In the case of the Galatians, after their relapse, this struggle has all to be gone through again.Until Christ be formed in you.--Just as the formless embryo by degrees takes the shape of man, so the unformed Christian by degrees takes the likeness of Christ. As he grows in grace that likeness becomes more and more defined, till at last the Christian reaches the "stature of the fulness of Christ" (<a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm" title="Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:">Ephesians 4:13</a>). There is some question as to the punctuation of this verse: whether it should be divided from the last by a full stop, and from the next by a comma, as is usually done; or from the last by a comma, and from the next by a full-stop. It is a nice question of scholarship, in which the weight or preponderance of authority seems, perhaps, rather to incline to the usual view, though some good commentators take the other side. It has been thought best not to alter the punctuation of the English text, though without a clear conviction that it is right.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you (τεκνία μου [or, τέκνα μου] οὔς πάλιν ὠδίνω ἄρχις οῦ μορφωθῇ Ξριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν); my little children (or, my children) of whom I am again in travail, until Christ be formed in you. It has been above remarked to be doubtful whether this verse should be conjoined with the preceding verse or with that which follows. The objection to the latter arrangement, presented by the δὲ at the commencement of ver. 20, is thought by many to be obviated by a number of instances which have been alleged in which this conjunction is used with a sentence following a vocative compellation (see Alford, Ellicott). But such cases appear marked by a tone of vivacity and surprise which is not present here. On the other hand, the tone of loving affectionate anxiety breathing in this verse links it more closely with the preceding than with the following one, in which such pathos is no longer discernible, but is replaced by a deliberative attitude of mind. The word τεκνία occurs as a compellation here only in St. Paul's writings, though repeatedly in St. John's Epistle and once in his Gospel (<a href="/john/13-33.htm">John 13:33</a>), where it appears as used by our Lord in an access of deeply moved affectionate-ness. St. Paul addresses Timothy as "his child" (τέκνον) in <a href="/2_timothy/2-1.htm">2 Timothy 2:1</a> and <a href="/1_timothy/1-18.htm">1 Timothy 1:18</a>, not only as a term of endearment, but as denoting also his having been spiritually begotten by him (comp. <a href="/philemon/1-10.htm">Philemon 1:10</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">1 Corinthians 4:15</a>). Here the like sense attaches to the word, as is clear from the following clause, "of whom I am again in travail;" but the diminutive form of the noun, agreeing well with the notion of a child at its birth, combines in this case apparently a tender allusion also to the extremely immature character of their Christian discipleship .(compare "babes (νήπιοι) in Christ," <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1</a>) - so immature, in fact, that the apostle is travailing of them afresh, as if not yet born at all. This particular shade of meaning, however, must be sacrificed, if we accept the reading τέκνα μου, "my children," which is highly authenticated. The verb ὠδίνω cannot be understood as pointing to gestation merely; it can only denote the pangs of parturition. The apostle by this figure describes himself as at this hour in an anguish of desire to bring the souls of his converts both to a complete state of sonship in Christ Jesus, and to a complete consciousness of that state - now at length bring them thereto, though that former travail had seemingly been in vain. In <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">1 Corinthians 4:15</a> and <a href="/philemon/1-10.htm">Philemon 1:10</a> he refers to himself as a spiritual father of his converts, and this too with touching pathos. Great is the pathos too of his reference to himself as, in his fostering care of his Thessalonian converts, like a tender "nursing mother cherishing her own children," and also as of a "father" of them (<a href="/1_thessalonians/2-7.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11</a>). But neither of those passages equals the present in the expression of intense, even anguished, longing to effect, if only he might be able to effect it, a real transformation in the spiritual character of these Galatian converts. "Until" - I cannot rest till then! - "Christ be formed in you." The verb μορφόω, form, occurs only here in the New Testament in its uncompounded shape. A passage is cited from 'Const. Apost.,' 4:7, in which it occurs in the phrase, "formed man in the womb." In the Septuagint of <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Exodus 21:22</a> we have ἐξεικονισμένον of the unborn infant. It certainly seems as if the apostle used the word as one belonging to the same region of thought as the ὠδίνω, but, with the like bold and plastic touch as elsewhere characterizes his use of imagery, refusing to be tied to thorough-going consisteney in its application. Compare for example <a href="/2_corinthians/3-2.htm">2 Corinthians 3:2</a>. When the hour of ὠδῖνες is come, the period of the" formation" of the babe has expired. Further, as showing the freedom of the writer's use of imagery, the easiest way of taking ἐν ὑμῖν is to suppose that "Christ" is here viewed as "within" them, and not as a likeness to which they are to be conformed: camp. <a href="/galatians/2.htm">Galatians 2</a>:22, "Christ liveth in me;" and <a href="/colossians/1-27.htm">Colossians 1:27</a>, where the "mystery" of the gospel is summed up in the words, "Christ in you the hope of glory." He cannot rest, he means, till the image, thought, of Christ as the Object of their sole and absolute trust, as the complete ground of their acceptance with God and their sonship, shall be perfectly and abidingly formed in their hearts. The hour in which a perfectly formed "Christ," that fair' Divine Child of joy and hope, has come to be there, in their hearts, will be the hour in which the apostle's travailing pangs have issued in their birth. No doubt the apostle is writing to persons baptized into Christ and thus clothed with Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-27.htm">Galatians 3:27</a>); persons, in the language of the Church, "born again." But however straitly we choose to be restrained in the use of such images, solidifying into rigid dogma similitudes used for such passing illustration as the occasion of the moment requires, the sacred writers themselves recognize no such restriction. As Chrysostom observes in his 'Commentary,' the apostle's language in effect is, "Ye need a fresh new-birth, a fresh remoulding (ἀναγεννήσεως ἑτέρας ὑμῖν δεῖ καὶ ἀναπλάσεως)." Baptized into Christ as those Galatians were, they were, however, in his view no true sons of God, until Christ had been really formed in their hearts. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. children, Τέκνα (Tekna) Noun - Vocative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. for whom οὓς (hous) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. I am again πάλιν (palin) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3825.htm">Strong's 3825: </a> Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand. in the pains of childbirth ὠδίνω (ōdinō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5605.htm">Strong's 5605: </a> To be in travail, suffer birth-pangs. From odin; to experience the pains of parturition. until μέχρις (mechris) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3360.htm">Strong's 3360: </a> As far as, until, even to. Christ Χριστὸς (Christos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. is formed μορφωθῇ (morphōthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3445.htm">Strong's 3445: </a> To form, fashion, shape, mold. From the same as morphe; to fashion. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. you, ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-19.htm">Galatians 4:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-19.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:19 My little children of whom I am (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/4-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 4:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>