4:19a
My children: Paul used this phrase to remind the Galatians of their close relationship with him.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
My little children (English Standard Version)
-or-
My own children ?in Christ?
If the word children is only used literally and would be misunderstood, then you can say something like:
You are like my children
4:19b
for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth: This clause is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Paul compared his ministry among the Galatians to childbirth. Paul had brought the Galatians to Christ. This was like giving birth to a child. They are similar in that both are difficult and painful.
Paul had already done this one time during his first visit. But the Galatians were turning away from their faith. So he had to bring them to the truth again. It was like Paul was giving birth to them again.
Some ways to translate this clause are:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
I am suffering birth pains for you again (God’s Word)
-or-
again I feel the pain of childbirth for you (New Century Version)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Like a woman who has pain when she gives birth, I am again suffering for you
• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
I am suffering terrible pain on your behalf once more
until Christ is formed in you: This clause refers to Christ changing the lives of the Galatians. Paul stated that his birth pains would continue until the Galatians were mature in Christ.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
until you truly become like Christ (New Century Version)
-or-
until Christ is shown/revealed in you
-or-
until Christ’s nature is formed in you (Good News Translation)
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