4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to {t} change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
(t) Use other words among you.
4:20 I desire to be present with you now. When present they had shown warm feeling for him (Ga 4:18). He would now that they were face to face.
To change my voice. To speak, not severely, as a letter would sound, but tenderly.
I stand in doubt of you. Is perplexed by what he hears, and filled with fears.
4:20 I could wish to be present with you now - Particularly in this exigence. And to change - Variously to attemper. My voice - He writes with much softness; but he would speak with more. The voice may more easily be varied according to the occasion than a letter can. For I stand in doubt of you - So that I am at a loss how to speak at this distance.
4:19,20 The Galatians were ready to account the apostle their enemy, but he assures them he was their friend; he had the feelings of a parent toward them. He was in doubt as to their state, and was anxious to know the result of their present delusions. Nothing is so sure a proof that a sinner has passed into a state of justification, as Christ being formed in him by the renewal of the Holy Spirit; but this cannot be hoped for, while men depend on the law for acceptance with God.
