| Geneva Study Bible 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. People's New Testament 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. Wesley's Notes 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. King James Translators' Notes I stand...: or, I am perplexed for you Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 20. Translate as Greek, "I could wish." If circumstances permitted (which they do not), I would gladly be with you [M. Stuart]. now-as I was twice already. Speaking face to face is so much more effective towards loving persuasion than writing (2Jo 12; 3Jo 13, 14). change my voice-as a mother (Ga 4:19): adapting my tone of voice to what I saw in person your case might need. This is possible to one present, but not to one in writing [Grotius and Estius]. I stand in doubt of you-rather, "I am perplexed about you," namely, how to deal with you, what kind of words to use, gentle or severe, to bring you back to the right path. 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. | 
