Galatians 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yes, they would exclude you, that you might affect them. Let us take heed we do not sometimes call that zeal for God and His gospel which is nothing else but our own tempestuous and stormy passion. True zeal is a sweet, heavenly, and gentle flame, which makes us active for God, but always within the sphere of love. it never calls for fire from heaven to consume those that differ a little from us in their apprehensions. It is like that kind of lightning (which philosophers speak of) that melts the sword within, but singeth not the scabbard; it strives to save the soul, but hurteth not the body. (Cudworth.) Parallel Verses KJV: They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.WEB: They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. |
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