4:16

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now introduces a conclusion in the form of a rhetorical question. This conclusion is based on 4:14–15. Another way to translate this conjunction is:

So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? (NET Bible)

Have I…become your enemy by telling you the truth?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to show the Galatians his disappointment and disbelief. From the beginning, he had told them the truth, and they treated him as their friend. But when they later rejected the true gospel that he taught and turned to a false gospel, they rejected him and his message. So, in effect, they considered Paul to be their enemy.

Some ways to translate this are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can it be that I have become your enemy for telling you the truth? (God’s Word)
-or-
So you ?now? consider me to be your enemy because of that same truth I told you then?

• As a statement. For example:

I cannot believe that I have ?now? become your enemy by telling that truth.

by telling you the truth: From the beginning, Paul had taught the true gospel to the Galatians. This was in contrast to the false teaching that they heard from the false teachers.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by telling you the true ?gospel?
-or-
because I spoke the truth to you
-or-
for telling you the truth

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