Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
But because of the false brethren privately brought in (dia de touv pareisaktouv yeudadelfouv). Late verbal adjective pareisaktov from the double compound verb pareisagw, found in papyri in the sense of brought in by the side or on the sly as here. Evidently some of the Judaizers or sympathizers whom Paul had not invited had come in as often happens. Paul terms them "false brethren" like "the false apostles" in II Corinthians 11:13 of the Judaizers in Corinth.
Who came in privily (oitinev pareishlqon). Repetition of the charge of their slipping in unwanted (pareiserxomai, late double compound, in Plutarch, in N.T. only here and Romans 5:20).
To spy out (kataskophsai). First aorist active infinitive of kataskopew, old Greek verb from kataskopov, a spy, to reconnoitre, to make a treacherous investigation.
That they might bring us into bondage (ina hmav katadoulwsousin). Future active indicative of this old compound, to enslave completely (kata-) as in II Corinthians 11:20. Nowhere else in N.T. This was their purpose (ina and future active indicative of this causative verb). It was as serious a conflict as this. Spiritual liberty or spiritual bondage, which?
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Galatians 2:4:
Acts 15:1
Acts 15:1
Acts 15:5
Romans 5:20
1 Corinthians 8:1
2 Corinthians 11:13
2 Corinthians 11:14
Galatians 2:6
Galatians 2:7
2 Timothy 3:6
Hebrews 11:31
2 Peter 2:1
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