Galatians 4 · Verse 20

Galatians 4:20

I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Galatians 4:20, King James Version

Galatians 4:20 in other translations

BSBhow I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
WEBbut I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
ASVbut I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.
YLTand I was wishing to be present with you now, and to change my voice, because I am in doubt about you.
DARBYand I should wish to be present with you now, and change my voice, for I am perplexed as to you.
BBETruly my desire is to be present with you now, using a changed voice; for I am troubled about you.
WebsterI desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

What does Galatians 4:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. Translate as Greek, "I could wish." If circumstances permitted (which they do not), I would gladly be with you [M. Stuart]. now--as I was twice already. Speaking face to face is so much more effective towards loving persuasion than writing (2Jo 12; 3Jo 13, 14). change my voice--as a mother (Ga 4:19): adapting my tone of voice to what I saw in person your case might need. This is possible to one present, but not to one in writing [Grotius and Estius]. I stand in doubt of you--rather, "I am perplexed about you," namely, how to deal with you, what kind of words to use, gentle or severe, to bring you back to the right path.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. I desire to be present with you now. They had lost much by his absence; they had changed their views; they had in some measure become alienated from him; and he wishes that he might be again with them, as he was before, he would hope to accomplish much more by his personal presence than he could by letter.

And to change my voice. That is, from complaint and censure, to tones of entire confidence.

For I stand in doubt of you. Marg., "I am perplexed for you." On the meaning of the word here used, 2Cor 4:8. The sense is plain. Paul had much reason to doubt the sincerity and the solidity of their Christian principles, and he was deeply anxious on that account.

(1) "stand in doubt" "I am perplexed for you."

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 I desire to be present with you - I wish to accommodate my doctrine to your state; I know not whether you need stronger reprehension, or to be dealt with more leniently. I stand in doubt of you - I have doubts concerning your state; the progress of error and conviction among you, which I cannot fully know without being among you, This appears to be the apostle's meaning, and tends much to soften and render palatable the severity of his reproofs.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 4:19-20

The Galatians were ready to account the apostle their enemy, but he assures them he was their friend; he had the feelings of a parent toward them. He was in doubt as to their state, and was anxious to know the result of their present delusions. Nothing is so sure a proof that a sinner has passed into a state of justification, as Christ being formed in him by the renewal of the Holy Spirit; but this cannot be hoped…

Read the full comment on Galatians 4:19-20 →

Galatians 4:20 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἤθελονēthelonI was wishingG2309
δὲdeindeedG1161
παρεῖναιpareinaito be presentG3918
πρὸςproswithG4314
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
ἄρτιartipresentlyG737
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀλλάξαιallaxaito changeG236
τὴνtēntheG3588
φωνήνphōnēntoneG5456
μου,mouof mine,G3165
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
ἀποροῦμαιaporoumaiI am perplexedG639
ἐνenas toG1722
ὑμῖν.¶huminyou.G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Galatians 4:20

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18

    But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:19-21

    But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9

    For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
to be.
1Co 4:19-21; 1Th 2:17,18; 3:9
stand in doubt of you. or, am perplexed for you.
11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Galatians 4:19

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

  • Galatians 4:20

    I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

  • Galatians 4:21

    Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

Read all of Galatians 4

Galatians 4:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Querría cierto estar ahora con vosotros, y mudar mi voz; porque estoy perplejo en cuanto á vosotros.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		oui, je voudrais être maintenant auprès de vous et changer de langage, car je suis en perplexité à votre sujet.
German
Elberfelder 1871		ich wünschte aber jetzt bei euch gegenwärtig zu sein und meine Stimme umzuwandeln, denn ich bin eurethalben in Verlegenheit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		vellem autem esse apud vos modo, et mutare vocem meam: quoniam confundor in vobis.