Galatians 4:16

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Galatians 4:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

King James Version KJV

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

American Standard Version ASV

So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?

Bible in Basic English BBE

So then am I no longer your friend, because I give you true words?

Free Bible Version FBV

So what has happened—have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Am I therefore become your enemie, because I tell you the trueth?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

so that your enemy have I become, being true to you?

World English Bible WEB

So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Translation for Translators T4T

So I am very disappointed that you now act as though [RHQ] I have become hostile to you because I have kept speaking the true message about Christ to you.

Plain English Version PEV

But now something is wrong. I’m telling you what is true, and you don’t like it. It looks like you turned around, and now you are calling me your enemy.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Galatians 4:16

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Galatians 4:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ωστε εχθρος υμων γεγονα αληθευων υμιν

ωστε hōste G5620 so Conj

εχθρος echthros G2190 enemy Adj-NSM

υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP

γεγονα ginomai G1096 to be Verb-2RAI-1S

αληθευων alētheuō G226 be truthful Verb-PAP-NSM

υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Galatians 4:16

ωστε hōste G5620 "so" Conj

This word means so or therefore, used to show a result or conclusion. It appears in Matthew 8:24 and Romans 7:6.

Definition: ὥσ-τε consecutive particle, __1. with infin., expressing result, so as to: Mat.8:24 12:22, Mrk.1:27, Luk.5:7, Act.1:19, Rom.7:6, 1Co.1:7, Heb.13:6, al.; of a designed result, Mat.10:1, Luk.4:29, al.; preceded by οὕτως, Act.14:1; by τοσοῦτος, Mat.15:33. __2. C. indic., __(a) so that: Gal.2:13, preceded by οὕτως, Jhn.3:16; __(b) so then, therefore: Mat.12:12, Mrk.2:28, Rom.7:4, 1Co.3:7, Gal.3:9, al. __3. so then, therefore: with subjc., 1Co.5:8; with imperat., 1Co.3:21 4:5, Php.2:12 1Th.4:18, 1Pe.4:19, al (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 83 NT verses. KJV: (insomuch) as, so that (then), (insomuch) that, therefore, to, wherefore See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; Hebrews 13:6; 1 Peter 1:21.

εχθρος echthros G2190 "enemy" Adj-NSM

Enemy refers to someone who is hostile or hateful, like Satan or a personal adversary. It is used in Romans 11:28 and Matthew 13:28 to describe those who oppose God or His people. This concept is important for understanding spiritual warfare.

Definition: ἐχθρός, -ά, -όν (ἔχθος, hatred), [in LXX chiefly for אֵיבָה, also for עָר, etc. ;] __1. hated, hateful (Hom.): opposite to ἀγαπητός, Rom.11:28. __2. Actively, hating, hostile: Rom.5:10, 1Co.15:25, 2Th.3:15; with genitive of person(s) (cl.), Jas.4:4; τ. διανοίᾳ, Col.1:21; ἐ. ἄνθρωπος, Mat.13:28; as subst., ὁ ἐ., an enemy, 1Co.15:26; the devil, Mat.13:39, Luk.10:19; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:44 Mrk.12:36, Luk.20:43, Act.2:35, 1Co.15:25, Heb.1:13 10:13" (LXX) ; Mat.5:43-44 10:36 13:25, Luk.1:71, 74 6:27, 35 19:27, 43, Rom.12:20, Gal.4:16, Rev.11:5, 12; with genitive of thing(s), Act.13:10, Php.3:18.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 32 NT verses. KJV: enemy, foe See also: 1 Corinthians 15:25; Luke 19:43; Hebrews 1:13.

υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

γεγονα ginomai G1096 "to be" Verb-2RAI-1S

A versatile word meaning to be, become, or come into being, used in John 1:15 and 1 Corinthians 15:37.

Definition: γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] __1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. __2. Of events, to come to pass, take place, happen: Mat.5:18, Mrk.5:14, Luk.1:20 2:15, Act.4:21, 2Ti.2:18, al.; μὴ γένοιτο [LXX for חָלִילָה, Jhn.22:29, al.], far be it, God forbid: Rom.3:4 (ICC, in l.), 1Co.6:15 and frequently in Pl.; καὶ ἐγένετο, ἐγένετο δέ ([in LXX for וַיְהִי ;] see Burton, 142 f.; M, Pr., 16f.; Dalman, Words, 32 f.; Robertson, Gr., 1042 f.), with indic, Mat.7:28, Luk.1:8, al.; before καί and indic., Luk.8:1, Act.5:7, al.; with accusative and inf., Mrk.2:23, Luk.3:21, al.; ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο, before τοῦ with inf., Act.10:25; with dative of person(s), to befall one: with inf., Act.20:16; with accusative and inf., Act.22:6; with adv., εὖ, Eph.6:3; τ́ ἐγένετο αὐτῷ (Field, Notes, 115), Act.7:40 (LXX); before εἰς, Act.28:6. __3. to be made, done, performed, observed, enacted, ordained, etc.: Mat.6:10 19:8, Mrk.2:27 11:23, Act.19:26, al.; before διά with genitive, Mrk.6:2, Act.2:43; ὑπό, Luk.13:17; ἐκ, Luk.4:23; ἐν, 1Co.9:15; ἀπογραφή, Luk.2:2; ἀνάκρισις Act.25:26; ἄφεσις, Heb.9:22; ὁ νόμος, Gal.3:17; τὸ πάσχα, Mat.26:2. __4. to become, be made, come to be: with pred., Mat.4:3, Luk.4:3, Jhn.2:9, 1Co.13:11, al.; before ὡς, ὡσεί, Mat.10:25, Mrk.9:26; εἰς (M, Pr., 71f.), Mrk.12:1o, al.; with genitive Rev.11:15; id., of age, Luk.2:42; with dative, γ. ἀνδρί ([LXX for הָיָה לְאִישׁ, Rut.1:12, al. ;] see Field, Notes, 156), Rom.7:3, 4; before ἐν, Act.22:17, Rev.1:10, al.; ἐπάνω, Luk.19:19; μετά, with genitive, Mrk.16:[10], Act.9:19; before εἰς, ἐπί (Field, Notes, 135), κατά (ib., 62), with accusative of place, Act.20:16 21:35 27:7, al.; before ἐκ, Mrk.9:7, Luk.3:22, 2Th.2:7, al. Aoristic pf. γέγονα (M, Pr., 52, 145f.; Field, Notes, 1f.), Mat.25:6, Luk.10:36, al. Aor. ἐγενήθη (for ἐγένετο, M, Pr., 139f.; Mayser, 379), Mat.11:23, al. (Cf. απο-, δια-, επι-, παρα-, συμ-, παρα-, προ-.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 637 NT verses. KJV: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Acts 5:5; 1 Peter 1:15.

αληθευων alētheuō G226 "be truthful" Verb-PAP-NSM

To be truthful means to speak the truth and be honest in what you say and do, as seen in Galatians 4:16 and Ephesians 4:15. It is about being sincere and authentic.

Definition: ἀληθεύω (ἀληθής), [in LXX: Gen.20:16 (יָכַח) Gen.42:16 (אֶמֶת), Pro.21:3 (מִשְׁפָּט), Isa.44:26 (שָׁלַם), Sir.34:4 * ;] to speak the truth (R, mg., deal truly; Field, Notes, 192): Gal.4:16, Eph.4:15.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: speak (tell) the truth See also: Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 4:16.

υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

Study Notes — Galatians 4:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Galatians 4:16 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Galatians 4:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 4:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Galatians 4:16
Trapp's Commentary on Galatians 4:16
Ellicott's Commentary on Galatians 4:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Galatians 4:16
Cambridge Bible on Galatians 4:16
Barnes' Notes on Galatians 4:16
Whedon's Commentary on Galatians 4:16
Sermons on Galatians 4:16

Context — Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 15What 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.

16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17Those 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. 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Amos 5:10	There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.
2	Proverbs 9:8	Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
3	John 8:45	But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
4	Galatians 5:7	You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
5	Psalms 141:5	Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
6	1 Kings 22:8	The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man who can ask 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.
7	Galatians 2:5	We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
8	John 7:7	The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.
9	1 Kings 18:17–18	When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.
10	1 Kings 21:20	When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

Galatians 4:16 Summary

[The Apostle Paul is asking the Galatians if he has become their enemy because he told them the truth about Jesus Christ and the gospel. He wants them to know that his intention is to help them, not to hurt them, as seen in Galatians 4:16. Telling the truth can be difficult, but it is essential for building strong and healthy relationships, as encouraged in Colossians 3:9-10. By telling the truth in love, we can demonstrate our love and concern for others, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:15.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Apostle Paul ask if he has become the enemy by telling the truth?

The Apostle Paul asks this question because he has been teaching the Galatians about the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and some of them have begun to turn against him, as seen in Galatians 4:16, possibly due to the influence of false teachers, as mentioned in Galatians 1:6-10.

Is it always easy to receive the truth from someone?

No, it is not always easy to receive the truth, as seen in Galatians 4:16, because the truth can be convicting and challenging, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:12, and it requires humility and a willingness to listen, as encouraged in Proverbs 1:7.

How can we respond when someone tells us the truth, even if it is difficult to hear?

We can respond with humility and gratitude, as seen in James 1:21, and we can ask for wisdom and guidance, as encouraged in James 1:5, to help us understand and apply the truth in our lives.

What is the relationship between telling the truth and being a friend or enemy?

Telling the truth can sometimes be perceived as being an enemy, as seen in Galatians 4:16, but in reality, telling the truth is a sign of genuine love and concern for someone, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:15, and it is essential for building strong and healthy relationships, as encouraged in Colossians 3:9-10.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I have responded to the truth in the past, and how can I improve my response to the truth in the future?
How can I balance the need to tell the truth with the need to be sensitive and compassionate towards others?
What are some areas in my life where I need to hear the truth, and how can I create opportunities for others to speak truth into my life?
How can I be a friend who tells the truth in love, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:15, and what are some ways that I can demonstrate my love and concern for others through my words and actions?

Gill's Exposition on Galatians 4:16

Am I therefore become your enemy,.... Not that he was an enemy to them, he had the same cordial affection for them as ever; he had their true interest at heart, and was diligently pursuing it; but

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 4:16

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Galatians 4:16

What hath now altered your mind, or made you have a worse opinion of me? Wherein have I offended you or done you any harm? I have done nothing but revealed to you the truth of God; am I therefore become your enemy? Or do you account me your enemy on that account?

Trapp's Commentary on Galatians 4:16

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Ver. 16. Am I therefore become, &c.] Truth breeds hatred, as the fair nymphs did the ugly fauns and satyrs. The hearing of truth galls, as they write of some creatures, that they have fel in aure, gall in their ears. It was not for nothing therefore that the orator called upon his countrymen to get their ears healed before they came any more to hear him. To preach, saith Luther, is nothing else but to derive upon a man’ s self the rage of all the country. And therefore when one defined the ministerial function to be Artem artium et scientiam scientiarum, the art of arts and science of sciences, Melancthon said, If he had defined it to be miseriam miseriatom, the misery of miseries, he had hit it. Because I tell you the truth?] He that prizeth truth (saith Sir Walter Raleigh) shall never prosper by the possession or profession thereof. An expectus, ut Quintilianus ametur? When we seek to fetch men out of their sins, they are apt to fret and snarl; like men when wakened out of their sleep, they are unquiet, ready to brawl with their best friend. One of a class of rural deities; at first represented like men with horns and the tail of a goat, afterwards with goats’ legs like the Satyrs, to whom they were assimilated in lustful character. ŒD

Ellicott's Commentary on Galatians 4:16

(16) Your enemy.—“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. Because I tell you the truth.—It would seem that something had happened upon St. Paul’s second visit to Galatia (the visit recorded in Acts 18:23) which had caused a change in their feelings towards him. His plain speaking had given offence.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Galatians 4:16

Verse 16. Am I therefore become your enemy] How is it that you are so much altered towards me, that you now treat me as an enemy, who formerly loved me with the most fervent affection? Is it because I tell you the truth; that very truth for which you at first so ardently loved me?

Cambridge Bible on Galatians 4:16

16. Am I therefore] ‘So that I am become … truth?’ The tone of the sentence is interrogative, rather than the form.I tell you the truth] The reference is probably to the second visit to Galatia, when the Judaizers had begun to sow seeds of error and discord among St Paul’s converts. He says ‘I tell’, not ‘I told’, because he has made no change in his teaching. Truth is ever one and the same.

Barnes' Notes on Galatians 4:16

Am I therefore become your enemy ... - Is my telling you the truth in regard to the tendency of the doctrines which you have embraced, and the character of those who have led you astray, and your own

Whedon's Commentary on Galatians 4:16

16. Therefore… enemy—Is it inferable from the immense change on your part? The truth—For telling them the truth is he who was once their angel now their enemy?

Sermons on Galatians 4:16

	Sermon	Description
	Galatians - Prayer Meeting (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the preaching of the Apostle Paul and his ability to confound intellectuals with the message of the Resurrection. The speaker emphasizes the
	(1 Corinthians) Flee Sexual Immorality by Brian Brodersen	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of sin and the consequences it has on one's inheritance of the kingdom of God. He highlights the power of Christ to deliver and
	Reconciling Religious Dissensions Among Christians by James Arminius	James Arminius preaches about the nature, effects, causes, and remedies of religious dissensions among Christians. He highlights the presence of evil in all ages, the conflict betw
	Danger of Defiance by Thaddeus Barnum	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the message of Amos, particularly in chapter 5 and verse 24. He emphasizes the importance of hating evil, loving good, and establishing just
	Bible Survey - Amos by Peter Hammond	Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Amos, a humble and bold shepherd who fearlessly proclaimed God's truth to the Northern tribes of Israel during a time of peace and prosperity.
	Jesus Teaches About Being Critical of Others Matthew 7:1-6 by David Servant	David Servant preaches on Jesus' teaching about judging others, emphasizing the importance of not being quick to find faults in others without considering all the facts. He highlig
	Prof. Finney's Letters--No. 32 by Charles Finney	Charles Finney addresses the Church about the critical distinction between censoriousness and Christian faithfulness, emphasizing that reproof is a necessary aspect of spiritual gr