Galatians 4:13-14
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Paul wasn't just saying he was sick when he first arrived; he was reminding them that their warm welcome happened despite his physical weakness, making their kindness even more significant. It highlights that their initial reception of the gospel was powerful, not based on his strength or presentation, but on the message itself.
You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is reminding the Galatians of their initial warm reception of him when he first shared the gospel, despite his own physical struggles. He’s setting the stage to contrast their past faithfulness with their current wavering, highlighting that he preached to them out of necessity due to illness, not because it was his original plan. This sets up the argument that their current turning away from him is all the more perplexing given their initial embrace.
Ever felt like your life took a detour you didn't plan for? Paul's ministry in Galatia started that way.
An Unplanned Ministry
Paul’s first visit to the Galatian churches wasn’t necessarily on his original itinerary. The commentaries suggest that he was likely traveling through the region when he was struck by illness. Instead of moving on, this physical ailment forced him to stop and rest. During this unexpected period of recovery, he preached the gospel.
This wasn't a setback for God’s plan; it was the means by which the Galatians first heard the good news. God can use our unplanned stops and moments of weakness to bring about His purposes.
What exactly was this 'infirmity of the flesh' that Paul experienced?
Unveiling the 'Thorn'
While the Bible doesn't give us all the details, the "infirmity of the flesh" likely refers to a physical ailment. Commentators discuss possibilities like epilepsy or severe eye infections, but the exact nature remains a mystery.
What's clear is that this weakness was significant enough to affect Paul's ministry, potentially making him appear less impressive or even vulnerable. Some scholars connect it to the "thorn in the flesh" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12, a painful, recurring issue that Paul pleaded with God to remove. Regardless of its precise form, this experience reveals that God's powerful work can happen through His servants even when they are physically weak or suffering.
Ask a follow-up
Paul highlights the Galatians' amazing response to him, especially given his condition. What does this reveal about their faith?
Love in the Face of Weakness
The fact that Paul reminds the Galatians of their reception is crucial. He's not just recounting an event; he's reminding them of their own initial, fervent love for the gospel and for him, their messenger.
Despite Paul's physical suffering and perhaps less-than-ideal presentation, they welcomed him wholeheartedly. This shows their commitment was to the message and the Messenger of God, not to outward appearances or Paul's personal comfort. Their enthusiastic acceptance, even under such circumstances, made their love for him even more precious and commendable in his eyes. It served as a powerful reminder of their genuine faith when he later wrote to them.
Understand the original words
euangelizomai · Greek Verb
The good news regarding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which provides salvation to all who believe. It is the central message of Christianity, emphasizing justification by grace through faith apart from the works of the law.
peirasmos · Greek Noun
A situation or event designed or permitted by God to test a believer's faith, character, or endurance. Trials are intended to refine the believer and demonstrate the genuineness of their commitment to Christ.
angelos · Greek Noun
A heavenly messenger sent by God to convey His word or presence. To receive someone as such is to grant them the honor, authority, and reception due to one speaking on behalf of the Almighty.
Christos Iēsous · Greek Proper Noun
The historical Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Messiah and Son of God, through whom God accomplished salvation for humanity. Accepting someone as "Christ Jesus" signifies recognizing them as a representative of the Lord Himself.
The Galatians' willingness to receive the gospel from Paul, even when he was suffering from a physical ailment that might have made him seem weak or contemptible, highlights the genuine spiritual connection they had at the beginning. This memory serves as a poignant reminder of their initial faith and love for him.
c. AD 48-50— this verse
Paul's First Journey to Galatia
Paul, likely on his first missionary journey, travels through the region of Galatia, establishing churches. He experiences a severe bodily ailment during this time, which unexpectedly causes him to remain and preach the gospel there.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Second Journey to Galatia
Paul revisits the churches in Galatia on his second missionary journey. This second visit is less joyous than the first, as the churches have begun to be influenced by Judaizing teachers.
c. AD 53-57
Writing of Galatians
Paul writes his letter to the Galatians, likely from Corinth or Ephesus, in response to the spread of false teachings that sought to add Jewish law to the gospel of grace. He reminds them of their initial reception of the gospel despite his physical struggles.
This passage describes Paul's 'thorn in the flesh,' a severe affliction that many scholars believe is the same infirmity he refers to in Galatians 4:13. It highlights how God's power can be made perfect in weakness.
Acts 16:6This verse records Paul's missionary journey through the region of Galatia, which scholars identify as the time and place Paul first preached the gospel there. It provides the historical backdrop for his statement about his physical ailment.
1 Corinthians 2:3Paul describes his ministry in Corinth as being in 'weakness and in fear and in much trembling.' This echoes the sentiment in Galatians 4:13, showing a pattern of Paul preaching the gospel despite physical or emotional struggles.
Romans 8:26This verse speaks of the Spirit helping us in our weaknesses, which provides a theological framework for understanding how Paul could preach effectively even while suffering from bodily infirmity. It points to divine enablement in human frailty.
cambridgeGalatians 4:13: "Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first."
13 . through infirmity of the flesh ] Rather, as R.V. ‘because of an infirmity of the flesh’, owing to bodily sickness. What was this infirmity? Most commentators identify it with the ‘thorn in the flesh’, 2 Corinthians 12:7 . Bp Lightfoot (p. 169 foll.) enumerates in chronological order the different conjectures which have been put forward in early and more modern times. They are (1) some…
vincentGalatians 4:13: "Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first."
Ye know (οἴδατε δὲ)The A.V. omits δὲ which is wanting in some Mss. Δὲ not oppositional as commonly explained: "Ye did not injure me, but on the contrary ye know, etc."; but introducing an explanation of ye did not injure me by reference to the fact that they might easily have been moved to do him wrong by the unfavorable circumstances under which he first preached the gospel to them (t…
Paul wasn't just saying he was sick when he first arrived; he was reminding them that their warm welcome happened despite his physical weakness, making their kindness even more significant. It highlights that their initial reception of the gospel was powerful, not based on his strength or presentation, but on the message itself.
Paul is reminding the Galatians of their initial warm reception of him when he first shared the gospel, despite his own physical struggles. He’s setting the stage to contrast their past faithfulness with their current wavering, highlighting that he preached to them out of necessity due to illness, not because it was his original plan. This sets up the argument that their current turning away from him is all the more perplexing given their initial embrace.
Paul is reminding the Galatians of their initial warm reception of him when he first shared the gospel, despite his own physical struggles. He’s setting the stage to contrast their past faithfulness with their current wavering, highlighting that he preached to them out of necessity due to illness, not because it was his original plan. This sets up the argument that their current turning away from him is all the more perplexing given their initial embrace.
"You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus." — Paul wasn't just saying he was sick when he first arrived; he was reminding them that their warm welcome happened despite his physical weakness, making their kindness even more significant. It highli…
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Last reviewed October 2026
