4:17 They court you eagerly, 1 but for no good purpose; 2 they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly. 3 4:18 However, it is good 4 to be sought eagerly 5 for a good purpose 6 at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 4:19 My children – I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you! 7
1 tn Or “They are zealous for you.”
2 tn Or “but not commendably” (BDAG 505 s.v. καλῶς 2).
3 tn Or “so that you would be zealous.”
4 tn Or “commendable.”
5 tn Or “to be zealous.”
6 tn Grk “But it is always good to be zealous in good.”
7 tn Grk “My children, for whom I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you.” The relative clauses in English do not pick up the emotional force of Paul’s language here (note “tone of voice” in v. 20, indicating that he is passionately concerned for them); hence, the translation has been altered slightly to capture the connotative power of Paul’s plea.