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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 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/48_Gal_04_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:16 - Paul's Fears for the Galatians" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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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="/ad16.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/4-15.htm" title="Galatians 4:15">◄</a> Galatians 4:16 <a href="/galatians/4-17.htm" title="Galatians 4:17">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />So have I become your enemy speaking truth to you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Have I therefore become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Am I now your enemy, just because I told you the truth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So then am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Can it be that I have become your enemy for telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So have I now become your enemy for telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Can it be that I have become your enemy through speaking the truth to you?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />so have I become your enemy, being true to you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />So have I become your enemy speaking truth to you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> so that your enemy have I become, being true to you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Have I then been your enemy, speaking truth to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So now have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Have I become an enemy to you because I have preached the truth to you?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Have I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore have I become your enemy, telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />am I now become your enemy in continuing to tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Can it be that I have become your enemy through speaking the truth to you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />So, then, have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And am I become your enemy <i>for</i> telling you the truth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/4-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=831" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Paul's Fears for the Galatians</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5620.htm" title="5620: hōste (Conj) -- So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gegona (V-RIA-1S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">Have I now become</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/2190.htm" title="2190: echthros (Adj-NMS) -- Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary.">enemy</a> <a href="/greek/226.htm" title="226: alētheuōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To say (speak) truth, do truth, maintain truth (the truth). From alethes; to be true.">by telling you the truth?</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">17</span>Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-45.htm">John 8:45</a></span><br />But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-15.htm">2 Corinthians 12:15</a></span><br />And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-8.htm">1 Kings 22:8</a></span><br />The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-10.htm">Amos 5:10</a></span><br />There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-8.htm">Proverbs 9:8</a></span><br />Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-4.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:4</a></span><br />Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/20-10.htm">Jeremiah 20:10</a></span><br />For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">1 John 3:13</a></span><br />So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/38-20.htm">Psalm 38:20</a></span><br />Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-26.htm">Luke 6:26</a></span><br />Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51-54</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a></span><br />They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-14.htm">1 Peter 4:14</a></span><br />If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?</p><p class="hdg">become.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Galatians 3:1-4</a></b></br> O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-17.htm">1 Kings 18:17,18</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, <i>Art</i> thou he that troubleth Israel? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-20.htm">1 Kings 21:20</a></b></br> And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found <i>thee</i>: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Galatians 2:5,14</a></b></br> To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/5-7.htm">Galatians 5:7</a></b></br> Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-26.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/romans/16-12.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">True.</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-15.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/colossians/4-14.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/galatians/4-24.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-20.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/galatians/5-7.htm">True.</a> <a href="/galatians/5-7.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><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></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Have I now become your enemy</b><br>Paul is addressing the Galatians with a rhetorical question, highlighting the strained relationship that has developed between him and the church. Historically, Paul had a close relationship with the Galatians, as seen in <a href="/galatians/4-13.htm">Galatians 4:13-15</a>, where he recalls their initial warm reception of him. The term "enemy" suggests a significant shift in their perception of Paul, likely due to the influence of Judaizers who were promoting adherence to the Mosaic Law. This reflects a broader theme in Paul's letters, where he often contends with false teachings and defends the gospel of grace (see <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a>).<p><b>by telling you the truth?</b><br>Paul emphasizes the importance of truth, which in this context refers to the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from the works of the Law. This truth is central to Paul's mission and is consistent with his teachings elsewhere, such as in <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Ephesians 4:15</a>, where he speaks of "speaking the truth in love." The truth Paul refers to is not just factual correctness but the transformative message of the gospel. This aligns with Jesus' declaration in <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>, where He states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The Galatians' reaction to Paul's truth-telling serves as a cautionary tale about the human tendency to resist uncomfortable truths, especially when they challenge established beliefs or practices.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle who wrote the letter to the Galatians. He is addressing the Galatian church with a concern about their reception of his message.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, a group of churches in the region of Galatia. They were struggling with the influence of Judaizers who were distorting the gospel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a></b><br>A group of individuals who were teaching that Gentile Christians must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be truly saved.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/truth.htm">Truth</a></b><br>The central theme of Paul's message, referring to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the freedom it brings from the law.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/conflict.htm">Conflict</a></b><br>The tension between Paul and the Galatians due to their wavering faith and the influence of false teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_truth.htm">The Cost of Truth</a></b><br>Speaking the truth can sometimes lead to conflict or being perceived as an enemy. Christians must be prepared to face opposition when standing for the truth of the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>Believers must discern between true and false teachings. The Galatians' struggle highlights the need for a strong foundation in biblical truth to resist false doctrines.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/truth_in_love.htm">Truth in Love</a></b><br>While truth is essential, it must be communicated with love and compassion. Paul’s approach serves as a model for addressing errors within the church.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_the_gospel.htm">Faithfulness to the Gospel</a></b><br>The gospel's truth should not be compromised for the sake of acceptance or peace. Believers are called to uphold the truth even when it is unpopular.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection.htm">Self-Reflection</a></b><br>Christians should examine their own lives to ensure they are not resisting truth due to pride or fear of change.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/avoid_owing_anything_to_anyone.htm">What does 'The Holy Spirit guides into all truth' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'get_behind_me'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Get behind me, Satan'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_hasn't_jesus'_return_happened_yet.htm">When Jesus says in John 16:16 that his followers 'will see' him after 'a little while,' why has the second coming not happened given nearly two thousand years have passed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_christians_allow_exploitation.htm">Should Christians allow themselves to be taken advantage of?</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>(16) <span class= "bld">Your enemy.</span>--"The enemy" was the name by which St. Paul was commonly referred to by the party hostile to him in the next century. It is quite possible that the phrase "your enemy" ought to be placed, as it wore, in inverted commas, and attributed to the Judaising sectaries--"your enemy," as these false teachers call me.<p><span class= "bld">Because I tell you the truth.</span>--It would seem that something had happened upon St. Paul's second visit to Galatia (the visit recorded in <a href="/acts/18-23.htm" title="And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.">Acts 18:23</a>) which had caused a change in their feelings towards him. His plain speaking had given offence.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?</span> [<span class="greek">ὥστε</span> <span class="greek">ἐχθρὸς ὑμῶν γέγονα ἀληθεύων ὑμῖν</span>;]; <span class="accented">so then</span>, <span class="accented">am I become your enemy</span>, <span class="accented">because I deal with you according to truth</span>? This is a wailing remonstrance against an apprehended incipient state of alienation. "So then," <span class="greek">ὥστε</span> (see note on ver. 7), occurs repeatedly before an imperative; as <a href="/1_corinthians/3-21.htm">1 Corinthians 3:21</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/10-12.htm">1 Corinthians 10:12</a>; <a href="/philippians/2-12.htm">Philippians 2:12</a>; <a href="/philippians/4-1.htm">Philippians 4:1</a>; <a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a>; here only before a question. Its consecutive import here lies in the essential identification between their attachment to St. Paul and their allegiance to the pure gospel. If they forsook the gospel, their heart was gone from <span class="accented">him.</span> Naturally also their incipient defection from the truth was accompanied by a jealousy on their part hew he would regard them, and by a preparedness to listen to those who spoke of him, as Judaizers everywhere did, with disparagement and dislike. No doubt the accounts which had just reached him of the symptoms showing themselves among them of defection from the gospel, and which prompted the immediate despatch of this Epistle, had informed him also of symptoms of a commencing aversation from himself. The construction of <span class="greek">γέγονα</span> with <span class="greek">ἀληθεύων</span> is similar to that of <span class="greek">γέγονα ἄφρων</span> with <span class="greek">καυχώμενος</span> in the Textus Receptus of <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">2 Corinthians 12:11</a>, which is perfectly good Greek, even though the word <span class="greek">καυχώμενος</span> must be removed from the text as not genuine. The verb "I am become" describes the now produced result of the action expressed by the participle <span class="greek">ἀληθεύων</span>, "dealing according to truth" - an action which has been continuous to the present hour and is still going on. If the apostle were referring only to something which had taken place at his second visit, he would have probably used different tenses; either, perhaps, <span class="greek">ἐχθρὸς ὑμῶν ἐγευόμην</span> <span class="greek">ἀληθεύων</span> - compare <span class="greek">φανῃ</span>... <span class="greek">κατεργαζομένη</span> in <a href="/romans/7-13.htm">Romans 7:13</a> (or with a contemporaneous aorist participle, <span class="greek">ἀληθεύσας</span>); <span class="accented">or</span>, <span class="greek">ἐχθρὸς ὑμῶν γέγονα</span> <span class="greek">ἀληθεύσας</span>, like <span class="greek">εϊναι μοιχαλίδα γενομένην</span> <span class="greek">ἀνδρὶ ἑτέρῳ</span> in <a href="/romans/7-3.htm">Romans 7:3</a>. As it stands, "<span class="accented">dealing</span> with you according to truth" (<span class="greek">ἀλήθεύων ὑμῖν</span>) expresses the apostle's continuous declaration of the gospel, and his never-flinching ins]stance upon the mortal danger of defection from it (see <a href="/galatians/1-9.htm">Galatians 1:9</a>, <span class="greek">προειρήκαμεν</span>); and "I am become your enemy" points to the result now manifesting itself from this steadfast attitude of his, in consequence of their <span class="accented">consciousness</span> of meriting his disapproval. The verb <span class="greek">ἀληθεύω</span> occurs only once in the Septuagint - in <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16</a>, <span class="greek">Αἰ ἀληθεύετε η} οὐ</span>, "Whether there be any truth in you" (Authorized Version and Hebrew); and once besides in the New Testament - in <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Ephesians 4:15</a>, <span class="greek">Ἀληθεύοντες ἐν</span> <span class="greek">ἀγάπῃ</span>, where the verb denotes, apparently, not merely being truthful in speech, but the whole habit of addiction both to uprightness and to God's known truth; for we can hardly leave out of our view this latter idea, when we consider how frequently the apostle designates the gospel by the term "the truth" (<a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">2 Corinthians 4:2</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/6-7.htm">2 Corinthians 6:7</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/13-8.htm">2 Corinthians 13:8</a>; <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Galatians 3:1</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Ephesians 1:13</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12, 13</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a>). "Enemy" is either one regarded as adopting a hostile position to them, or one viewed with hostile feeling by them, which latter is its sense in <a href="/romans/11-28.htm">Romans 11:28</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-15.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:15</a>. The above exposition of the import of this verse is confirmed by the consideration that the Epistle affords no trace of the apostle's relations with the Galatian converts having been other than mutually friendly at even his second visit to them. This fact is implied in ver. 12, and <a href="/galatians/1-9.htm">Galatians 1:9</a> furnishes no evidence to the contrary; for those warnings may have been uttered in his first visit as well as in his second, without occasioning or being occasioned by any want of mutual confidence. This view of their mutual relations is confirmed likewise by the feelings of indignant astonishment with which evidently the apostle took up his pen to address them in this letter: the tidings which had just reached him had been a painful surprise to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Have I now become</span><br /><span class="grk">γέγονα</span> <span class="translit">(gegona)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">enemy</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐχθρὸς</span> <span class="translit">(echthros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2190.htm">Strong's 2190: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[by] telling you the truth?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀληθεύων</span> <span class="translit">(alētheuōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_226.htm">Strong's 226: </a> </span><span class="str2">To say (speak) truth, do truth, maintain truth (the truth). From alethes; to be true.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/4-16.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:16 So then have I become your enemy (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/4-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 4:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:17" /></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>