Galatians 4:19

‘My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pains until Christ be formed in you.'

Paul is now almost in anguish, and he presses home his plea tenderly and with passion. They are again putting him through the deep spiritual concern that he had already once suffered on their behalf.

‘My little children' (teknia mou), or possibly ‘my children' (tekna mou). The words are tender. Compare the use of a similar phrase by John (1 John 2:1 and often).

‘For whom I am again suffering birth pains.' His concern is such that he is suffering ‘birth pains' similar to those when he first ‘bore' them. This may refer to the fervency of his prayers, or simply to the strong emotions that had wracked him as he had sought to bring them to Christ, or even both.

‘Until Christ be formed in you.' This looks back to Galatians 2:20. He longs for their restoration and growth and that they may once more become Christ-like. He will not cease his travail until they become complete examples of Christ-indwelt men.