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Galatians 4 · a question people ask

"because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time" (4:13). What was the weakness?

In the text

The letter doesn't say. It goes on, "That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus." (4:14), and, "For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me." (4:15). It names no weakness beyond these words, and these notes name none. They give no reading of "your eyes" (4:15), set no other verse beside these, and apply them to no one's health today.

The verses

“but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 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.”
Galatians 4:13-15 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Galatians 4

Galatians 4: An heir of God

Galatians 4 begins with an heir who, while a child, "is no different from a bondservant" (4:1), and soon says, "So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (4:7). Between them, "God sent out his Son" (4:4), and "God sent out the Spirit of his Son" (4:6).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions