Paul’s appeal (4:12–20)

Says “I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you”. “it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you” (δι’ ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς (di’ astheneian tēs sarkos, “because of a weakness of the flesh”); τὸ πρότερον (to proteron, “the first time”)). The Greek of 4:14 is τὸν πειρασμὸν ὑμῶν ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου (ton peirasmon hymōn en tē sarki mou, “your trial in my flesh”); the BSB has “my illness was a trial to you”. They “did not despise or reject me” but “welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself”. “you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me”. The wording is treated in Weakness of the flesh, and your eyes (4:12–15).

Says He asks whether he has “become your enemy by telling you the truth”. “Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us” (ἐκκλεῖσαι ὑμᾶς (ekkleisai hymas, “to shut you out”)). “My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (τέκνα μου (tekna mou, “my children”); οὓς πάλιν ὠδίνω (hous palin ōdinō, “for whom I am again in labor”)). “I am perplexed about you”. The wording is treated in Zealous, not in a good way, and labor pains (4:16–20).

Uncertain The nature of the weakness is not named in these verses. The readings offered for it are treated in Paul’s illness in Galatia (4:13–15). No verdict is given.