Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
Parallel translations
- WEB But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
- KJV But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
- NKJV But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
- NASB But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable way, and not only when I am present with you.
- NLT If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.
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
Zeal is good when it is for a good purpose and consistent, not just when Paul is present. He commends right-hearted earnestness while contrasting it with the false teachers' selfish zeal.
Overview
Paul concedes that enthusiasm itself is commendable, provided its object is good and it endures in his absence. He implies the Galatians' zeal had been misdirected by the agitators. The verse encourages steadfast, well-aimed devotion that does not depend on the presence of a particular leader.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Phil 2:12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
- Rev 3:19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Phil 1:27Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
- Titus 2:14He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Gal 4:13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
- Ps 119:139My zeal has consumed me because my foes forget Your words.
- John 2:17His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”
- Ps 69:9because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
- Isa 59:17He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
- Num 25:11–13“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.
- Gal 4:20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 4:18 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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