Galatians 4:17

Verse 17. They zealously affect you. See 1 Co 12:31, (Greek;) 1 Co 14:39. The word here used, zhlow) means to be zealous towards; i.e., for or against any person or thing; usually, in a good sense, to be eager for here it means, that the false teachers made a show of zeal towards the Galatians, or professed affection for them in order to gain them as their followers. They were full of ardour, and professed an extraordinary concern for their welfare--as men always do who are demagogues, or who seek to gain proselytes. The object of the apostle in this is, probably, to say, that it was not wholly owing to themselves that they had become alienated from the doctrines which he had taught.