Galatians 4:19
19My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Truth to Learn
Spiritually healthy Christians are constantly maturing to become more like Christ.
Behind the Words
“Little children” is from “teknia,” a diminutive form of “teknon,” the word for child. Therefore it refers to small or very young children.
The word “formed” is translated from the Greek word, “morphoō” from which we get our English equivalent morph, meaning to form into something new. In the current verse the word is in the passive voice meaning that it is action done to the subject (you) and it is in subjunctive mood indicating that it has the possibility of happening but it is not necessarily happening currently.
Meaning Explained
As any woman who has given birth will testify, it is hard work! That’s why they call it labor. Similarly, Paul had labored hard in delivering the gospel message to the Galatians even in the midst of physical infirmity as he told us in Galatians 4:11, 13. And attaining eternal life was referred to by our Lord as being born again:
John 3:3 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the
So Paul’s use of the imagery of birthing labor is fitting. But let’s not confuse the imagery with reality. Paul is not saying that the Galatians have to be “born again” again. That can only happen once. He is simply saying that the labor he is going through is of the same degree as when he first delivered the gospel message to them.
Because of his great love for the Christians in the Galatian churches, Paul refers to them as his children. Notice, however, that he refers to them as little children. This is an indication that they are still immature in their faith. The writer of Hebrews said a similar thing to the spiritually immature Jewish converts of the early church.
Hebrews 5:12, 13 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.
And, Paul said of those whom God called to be His children;
Romans 8:29 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Application
God’s purpose for us as Christians is for us to continually mature spiritually. As we do, we become more like His Son. But, if we are not growing or are being led into doctrinal error, we are not maturing and spiritually we are still little children.
Are you growing as a Christian and becoming more Christ-like in your thoughts and actions?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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