Paragraph 4:12–20
4:12a
I beg you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beg means “entreat” or “plead.” Paul used this word to strongly request the Galatians to do what he wanted them to do.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
I urge you (New King James Version)
-or-
I plead with you (New International Version)
-or-
I urgently ask you
-or-
Please
brothers: The word brothers refers to fellow believers. It includes both men and women. It shows Paul’s love and respect for the Galatian believers. He used this word to get their attention.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
My dear fellow believers
-or-
Friends (New Revised Standard Version)
become like me: This clause states what Paul wanted the Galatians to do. He wanted them to be like him. Paul was no longer a slave to the law. Instead, he had freedom in Christ. He wanted them to be free, as he was.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
be as I am
-or-
follow my example
-or-
live as I do in freedom from these things (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
do as I do and live free from the law
4:12b
for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command “become as I am.” Some other ways to translate this conjunction are:
because (NET Bible)
-or-
I say this for this reason
In some languages, it will be more natural to state the basis of the command before the command. For example:
I became like you, so I beg you to become like me. (New Century Version)
I became like you: Paul became like the Galatians in the sense that he became free from slavery to the law of Moses. This happened when he met Christ and was converted.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
I have become like you Gentiles (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I became like you were (God’s Word)
-or-
I have become like you Gentiles were—free from the law (New Living Translation (1996))
4:12c
You have done me no wrong: This clause means that the Galatians had not done anything bad to Paul in the past. They had not harmed him or caused him trouble. It refers to the time when he first preached the gospel to the Galatians. They showed much love for him.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
You did not cause me to suffer
-or-
You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You were very good to me before. (New Century Version)
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