Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Parallel translations
- WEB What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
- NASB Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
- NLT Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul asks what became of their earlier joy and devotion, recalling they would have given their own eyes for him. He laments the loss of their first affection.
Overview
The vivid image of plucking out their eyes shows the depth of the Galatians' original love and self-sacrifice toward Paul. Some see this as a hint about Paul's ailment affecting his eyes, though this is uncertain. The verse mourns how a false gospel has cooled a once-fervent relationship and warns how legalism damages Christian fellowship.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Rom 5:2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- Col 4:13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
- 1 Jn 3:16–18Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
- Gal 6:4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
- Rom 4:6–9Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
- Gal 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Rom 10:2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
- 2 Cor 8:3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
- Rom 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
- Gal 4:19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
- 1 Th 2:8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
- 1 Th 5:13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
- Gal 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
- Rom 9:3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
- Luke 8:13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
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Christ at the center
Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the law's curse, that we might receive the Spirit and be sons — justified by faith in him, not by works.
How Galatians 4:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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