The Apostle often uses the word elements or "rudiments," Galatians 4:3; Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8; Colossians 2:20. High and holy as was the Mosaic legislation in itself, yet when it was imposed upon inquiring minds as necessary to salvation, Paul spoke of it as belonging to an age that had passed away and to a system that was already antiquated. The whole purpose of God in sending forth His Son was to redeem us from under the Law, that we might enjoy the liberty and joy of the Father's home. We are no longer infants under age, or servants, but sons, and if sons, then heirs of God.
There is often a slavishness among professing Christians that is sadly out of keeping with their rightful position in Christ. Do not be scrupulous or over-anxious. Do not be punctilious. Live in your Father's house in constant freedom of heart. Remember that you are under the same roof as Christ, and are therefore allowed to avail yourself of all His grace and help. Refuse no task, however irksome, that God sets before you; and do not worry about irksome rules or petty vexations. [source]
Chapter Summary: Galatians 4
1We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age 5But Christ freed us from the law; 7therefore we are servants no longer to it 14Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them; 22and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman
Greek Commentary for Galatians 4:11
I am afraid of you [ποβουμαι υμας] He shudders to think of it. [source]
Lest by any means I have bestowed labour upon you in vain [μη πως εικηι κεκοπιακα εις υμας] Usual construction after a verb of fearing about what has actually happened A fear about the future would be expressed by the subjunctive. Paul fears that the worst has happened. [source]
I am afraid of you [φοβοῦμαι ὑμᾶς] Not a felicitous translation, though retained by Rev. Rather, “I am afraid for you or concerning you.” The second ὑμᾶς is not attracted into the principal clause so as to read, “I am afraid lest I have bestowed labor,” etc. The two clauses are distinct. I am afraid about you: then the reason for the fear is added, lest I have bestowed, etc. [source]
Upon you [εἰς ὑμᾶς] Lit. into you. The labor, though in vain, had born directly upon its object. See the same phrase Romans 16:6. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 4:11
Acts 18:7Titus Justus [Τιτου Ιουστου] So Aleph E Vulgate, while B has Τιτιαυ Ιουστου Titiau Ioustou while most MSS. have only Ιουστου Ioustou Evidently a Roman citizen and not Titus, brother of Luke, of Galatians 2:1. We had Barsabbas Justus (Acts 1:23) and Paul speaks of Jesus Justus (Corinthians Galatians 4:11). The Titii were a famous family of potters in Corinth. This Roman was a God-fearer whose house “joined hard to the synagogue” Periphrastic imperfect active of συνομορεω sunomoreō a late (Byzantine) word, here only in the N.T., followed by the associative instrumental case, from συνομορος sunomoros The lines are being drawn between the Christians and the Jews, drawn by the Jews themselves. [source]
Greek Commentary for Galatians 4:11
He shudders to think of it. [source]
Usual construction after a verb of fearing about what has actually happened A fear about the future would be expressed by the subjunctive. Paul fears that the worst has happened. [source]
Not a felicitous translation, though retained by Rev. Rather, “I am afraid for you or concerning you.” The second ὑμᾶς is not attracted into the principal clause so as to read, “I am afraid lest I have bestowed labor,” etc. The two clauses are distinct. I am afraid about you: then the reason for the fear is added, lest I have bestowed, etc. [source]
Lit. into you. The labor, though in vain, had born directly upon its object. See the same phrase Romans 16:6. [source]
Comp. Galatians 3:4; 1 Corinthians 15:2, and εἰς tono purpose, Philemon 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. After all my labor, you may return to Judaism. Luther says: “These words of Paul breathe tears.” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 4:11
So Aleph E Vulgate, while B has Τιτιαυ Ιουστου Titiau Ioustou while most MSS. have only Ιουστου Ioustou Evidently a Roman citizen and not Titus, brother of Luke, of Galatians 2:1. We had Barsabbas Justus (Acts 1:23) and Paul speaks of Jesus Justus (Corinthians Galatians 4:11). The Titii were a famous family of potters in Corinth. This Roman was a God-fearer whose house “joined hard to the synagogue” Periphrastic imperfect active of συνομορεω sunomoreō a late (Byzantine) word, here only in the N.T., followed by the associative instrumental case, from συνομορος sunomoros The lines are being drawn between the Christians and the Jews, drawn by the Jews themselves. [source]
On εικηι eikēi see note on 1 Corinthians 15:2; note on Galatians 4:11. Paul clings to hope about them with alternative fears. [source]
Originally suffering, weariness; hence exhausting labor. The kindred verb κοπιάω is often used of apostolic and ministerial labor (Romans 16:12; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 4:11). [source]