You have heard, indeed, of my former conduct as an adherent of the Jewish religion, how I kept on furiously persecuting the church of God, and tried to destroy it,

only they kept hearing people say, "Our former persecutor is now preaching as good news the faith which once he tried to destroy,"

But at that former time, as you did not know the true God, you were slaves to gods that do not really exist,

but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh,

O my dear children, I am suffering a mother's birth pangs for you again, until Christ is formed in you.

till Christ be formed in you, I should be glad to be present with you even now, and to change my voice; for I am in doubt about you.