Why does Paul say he stands in doubt of the Galatians in Galatians 4:20?
Paul stood in doubt because the Galatians were listening to false teachers and falling for their message. They desired to be under the Law and to add something to the Gospel, so Paul longed to be present with them and change his voice, wanting Christ formed in them and fearful of their drift.
Les explains this as a tender but alarmed appeal. Paul calls the Galatians “my little children” and says he travails in birth again until Christ be formed in you. He had seen them transformed by his Gospel and was thrilled, but now they were in trouble: they were listening to false teachers and falling for their message. So Paul desired to be present with them and change his voice so they would hear him. His doubt arose because they were drifting toward those false teachers and wanting to be under the Law, adding something to the Gospel. In verse 21 he challenges those who desire to be under the Law, and when Paul says “it is written,” Les notes he is taking them back to the Old Testament.
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
More Questions
Why was Paul so concerned about the Galatians in Galatians 4?
The Galatians were now in trouble because they were listening to false teachers and falling for their teaching.