Galatians 4:20

Present with you. Paul would far rather deliver his message personally. What he writes may be misinterpreted and misapplied. If he were present, he could answer all the questions that are sure to arise when his letter is read. His enemies will interpret it in its worst light. Even Peter found some things in Paul’s letters hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). And today many obscure the meaning of Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatians by failing to study them in their context and against the background of the actual situation that existed in the Galatian churches.

My voice. Or, “my tone of voice.” Paul would prefer to change his attitude toward them, but facts are facts. How pleasing it would be to him if their changed attitude would make it possible for him to express confidence in them again, rather than to utter these words of complaint, distrust, and censure. This is what he would do, if present, when they changed their course and returned to their former loyalty to the gospel. Paul here anticipates their change of heart upon receiving his letter.

In doubt of you. Or, “perplexed about you.” His perplexity of soul (see on v. 19) accounts for the severe things he says about them in the letter. Perhaps, ere they should read even this far, they would already have repented. But things being as they are, he must speak what he considers it his duty to speak. They have given evidence of insincerity and fickleness, yet he does not wish to make matters worse by undue severity. This is why he is at a loss to know how to deal with them. He does not feel clear about how much he should say.