Galatians 4:13

Authorized King James Version

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Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

Original Language Analysis

οἴδατε Ye know G1492
οἴδατε Ye know
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 1 of 11
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
δὲ G1161
δὲ
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 11
but, and, etc
ὅτι how G3754
ὅτι how
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 3 of 11
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
δι' through G1223
δι' through
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 4 of 11
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ἀσθένειαν infirmity G769
ἀσθένειαν infirmity
Strong's: G769
Word #: 5 of 11
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς of the flesh G4561
σαρκὸς of the flesh
Strong's: G4561
Word #: 7 of 11
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
εὐηγγελισάμην I preached the gospel G2097
εὐηγγελισάμην I preached the gospel
Strong's: G2097
Word #: 8 of 11
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ὑμῖν unto you G5213
ὑμῖν unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 9 of 11
to (with or by) you
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρότερον at the first G4386
πρότερον at the first
Strong's: G4386
Word #: 11 of 11
previously

Analysis & Commentary

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Paul reminds them of his initial visit. "Ye know" (oidate, οἴδατε)—you're aware, you remember. "Through infirmity of the flesh" (di' astheneian tēs sarkos)—because of weakness of the flesh. Astheneia (ἀσθένεια) means weakness, sickness, illness. Paul apparently had a physical ailment when he first came to them. The preposition "through" or "because of" (dia) suggests the illness occasioned his stay and gospel-preaching among them.

"I preached the gospel unto you at the first" (euēngelisamēn hymin to proteron)—his initial evangelization. Speculation about Paul's ailment ranges from malaria to eye disease to aftermath of persecution. The point isn't the specific malady but that despite physical suffering, Paul preached the gospel, and they received it. His weakness didn't invalidate his message. This prepares for verse 14's point about their initial reception despite his condition.

Historical Context

Acts 13-14 narrates Paul's first missionary journey through southern Galatia (Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe). Acts 14:19 mentions Paul being stoned at Lystra and left for dead. His "infirmity" may have been lingering effects of persecution or a chronic condition (possibly the "thorn in the flesh" of 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). The Galatians received the gospel despite Paul's unimpressive physical state, demonstrating the Spirit's power, not human eloquence or appearance (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

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