Galatians 4:18

4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. exclude you: or, exclude us

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

KJV

Save image

But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

What does Galatians 4:18 mean?

Galatians 4:18 is a verse in the book of Galatians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include δέ (de), καλός (kalos), ζηλόω ζηλεύω (zeloo). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Butδέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

goodκαλόςkalos/kal-os'/G2570of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from 18, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.

zealously

affectedζηλόω ζηλεύωzeloo/dzay-lo'-o/G2206from 2205; to have warmth of feeling for or against:--affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect).

alwaysπάντοτεpantote/pan'-tot-eh/G3842from 3956 and 3753; every when, i.e. at all times:--alway(-s), ever(-more).

inἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

thing,

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

notμήme/may/G3361a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.

onlyμόνοσι μόνοςmonon/mon'-on/G3440neuter of 3441 as adverb; merely:--alone, but, only.

whenἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

Iἐγώme/meh/G3165a shorter (and probably originally) from of 1691; me:--I, me, my.

presentπάρειμιpareimi/par'-i-mee/G3918from 3844 and 1510 (including its various forms); to be near, i.e. at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property:--come, X have, be here, + lack, (be here) present.

withπρόςpros/pros/G4314a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

you.σύhumas/hoo-mas'/G5209accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Acts 16:5

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 16:6

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 18:23

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.

1 Corinthians 16:1

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Topics

Affections Affections, the Zeal

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Galatians 4:18.

Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

2 Corinthians 8:19

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: grace: or, gift

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Galatians 1:23

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Mark 13:17

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. conceived: Gr. begotten

Frequently asked questions

What does Galatians 4:18 say?

Galatians 4:18 (King James Version) reads: "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you."

Is Galatians 4:18 in the Old or New Testament?

Galatians 4:18 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Galatians.

Reflect

As you read Galatians 4:18, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Galatians 4:18 →

← 4:17 4:19 →