Galatians 4:13

Through infirmity. Or, “because of infirmity.” Apparently Paul had not planned to evangelize Galatia at that time, but had been compelled to remain there for a time because of ill health. It has been suggested that he had contracted malaria or some other disease in the lowlying coastal area and had sought the higher altitude of the interior in the hope of finding relief. Possibly this “infirmity” was the “thorn in the flesh” of which he speaks in his Corinthian letter, and about which he prayed so earnestly (see 2 Cor. 12:7-9).

At the first. This may or may not indicate more than one previous visit to the Galatians. It is generally thought that the first of two previous visits is referred to. According to the so-called South Galatian theory (see p. 932; Additional Note on Acts 16), this would be the visit of Acts 13:14 to 14:21. However, nothing in the account of that journey suggests that Paul was in ill health at the time. According to the North Galatian theory, this would be the journey of Acts 16:1-6. The brevity of the account of the latter journey leaves more possibility for illness at that time. If the North Galatian theory is accepted, the statement of Gal. 4:13 may be considered as an allusion to the visits Paul made in Galatia on his second and third missionary journeys, with specific reference to that of the second journey. See on Acts 16:6.