| Geneva Study Bible My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, People's New Testament 4:19 My little children. He addresses them very tenderly as their spiritual parent. Of whom I travail in birth again. He is more than a father; he travails for them as a mother. He had done so when they were converted; he did not now again Until Christ be formed in you. Until they were so matured in Christ that they would cling to the gospel. Wesley's Notes 4:19 My little children - He speaks as a parent, both with authority, and the most tender sympathy, toward weak and sickly children. Of whom I travail in birth again - As I did before, Gal 4:13, in vehement pain, sorrow, desire, prayer. Till Christ be formed in you - Till there be in you all the mind that was in him. Scofield Reference Notes [1] little children The allegory Gal 4:22-31 is addressed to justified but immature believers (cf) 1Cor 3:1,2 who, under the influence of legalistic teachers, "desire to be under the law," and has, therefore, no application to a sinner seeking justification. It raises and answers, for the fifth time in this Epistle, the question, Is the believer under the law? Gal 2:19-21 3:1-3 3:25,26 4:4-6 4:9-31. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 19. My little children-(1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 2:1; 1Jo 2:1). My relation to you is not merely that of one zealously courting you (Ga 4:17, 18), but that of a father to his children (1Co 4:15). I travail in birth-that is, like a mother in pain till the birth of her child. again-a second time. The former time was when I was "present with you" (Ga 4:18; compare Note, see on [2353]Ga 4:13). Christ be formed in you-that you may live nothing but Christ, and think nothing but Christ (Ga 2:20), and glory in nothing but Him, and His death, resurrection, and righteousness (Php 3:8-10; Col 1:27). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 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. | 
