Matthew Poole and continuators on Galatians 4:18

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing , and not only when I am present with you .

The Apostle in the former verses had been speaking of a great zeal, or warmth of affection, (for that zeal signifieth,) which these Galatians had for, and declared towards him, when he first preached the Gospel amongst them; and also of a great warmth and degree of affection which these false Teachers had pretended to this Church. These words are so delivered that they are applicable to either of these; but the latter words seem to make them most properly applicable to the former; so the term [alwayes] is emphatical: There was a time, when you were very warm in your love to me; the cause being good, your warmth of affection ought not to have abated, but continued always, and not

onely while you saw me, and I was present with you.