Charles Ellicott Commentary Galatians 4:13

"but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:" — Galatians 4:13 (ASV)

Through infirmity of the flesh.—Rather, because (or, on account) of infirmity of flesh—i.e., some bodily weakness or ill-health. We should gather from this that St. Paul was detained in Galatia accidentally by illness, and that this led to his preaching the gospel there.

At the first.—The first time; on my first visit. This would be the one mentioned in Acts 16:6, in distinction from that referred to in Acts 18:23. (See Introduction.)