Galatians 4:10-12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
10 You are observing days,(A) months, seasons, and years.[a] 11 I am afraid on your account that perhaps I have labored for you in vain.[b]
Appeal to Former Loyalty.[c] 12 I implore you, brothers, be as I am, because I have also become as you are.[d] You did me no wrong;(B)
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- 4:10 This is likely a reference to ritual observances from the Old Testament, promoted by opponents: sabbaths or Yom Kippur, new moon, Passover or Pentecost, sabbatical years.
- 4:11 Cf. Gal 2:2. If the Galatians become slaves…all over again to the law (Gal 4:9), Paul will have worked in vain among them.
- 4:12–20 A strongly personal section. Paul appeals to past ties between the Galatians and himself. He speaks sharply of the opponents (Gal 4:17–18) and pastorally to the Galatians (Gal 4:19–20).
- 4:12 Because I have also become as you are: a terse phrase in Greek, meaning “Be as I, Paul, am,” i.e., living by faith, independent of the law, for, in spite of my background in Judaism (Gal 1:13), I have become as you Galatians are now, a brother in Christ.
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