John Calvin Commentary Galatians 4:19

"My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you--" — Galatians 4:19 (ASV)

My little children. The word children is still softer and more affectionate than brothers; and the diminutive, little children, is an expression not of contempt but of endearment, though at the same time it suggests the tender years of those who should now have arrived at full age (Hebrews 5:12). The style is abrupt, which is usually the case with highly emotional passages. Strong feeling, from the difficulty of finding adequate expression, breaks off our words when half-spoken, while powerful emotion chokes speech.

Of whom I travail in birth again. This phrase is added to convey still more fully his intense affection, which endured, on their account, the labor pains and pangs of a mother. It also denotes his anxiety; for

A woman, when she is in travail, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world (John 16:21).

The Galatians had already been conceived and brought forth; but, after their revolt, they must now be begotten a second time.

Until Christ be formed in you. By these words he soothes their anger, for he does not set aside the former birth but says that they must be nourished again in the womb, as if they had not yet been fully formed. That Christ should be formed in us is the same as our being formed in Christ, because we are born so that we become new creatures in him, and he, conversely, is born in us, so that we live his life.

Since the true image of Christ had been defaced by the superstitions introduced by the false apostles, Paul labors to restore that image in all its perfection and brightness. This restoration is accomplished by the ministers of the gospel when they give milk to babes, and strong meat to them that are of full age (Hebrews 5:13–14); indeed, this should be their task throughout their entire preaching ministry. But Paul here compares himself to a woman in labor because the Galatians were not yet completely born.

This is a remarkable passage for illustrating the efficacy of the Christian ministry. True, we are born of God (1 John 3:9); but because God employs a minister and preaching as his instruments for this purpose, he is pleased to ascribe to them the work that Himself performs, through the power of his Spirit, in cooperation with human labor.

Let us always be mindful of this distinction: when a minister is contrasted with God, he is nothing, can do nothing, and is utterly useless. However, because the Holy Spirit works efficaciously through him, he comes to be regarded and praised as an agent.

Still, it is not what he can do in himself, or apart from God, but what God does through him, that is described. If ministers wish to accomplish anything, let them labor to form Christ, not themselves, in their hearers. The writer is now so oppressed with grief that he almost faints from exhaustion without completing his sentence.