Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
How through infirmity - rather х di' (G1223) astheneian (G769)], 'yea х de (G1161)], ye know that because of an infinity of my flesh preached,' etc. Some bodily sickness having defined him among them, contrary to his original intention, was the occasion of his preaching the Gospel to them.
At the first, х to (G3588) proteron (G4386)] - 'at the former time;' implying that at the time of writing he had been twice in Galatia. See 'Introduction;' also Galatians 4:15-16, and Galatians 5:21, note. His sickness was probably the same as the "thorn in the flesh" afterward, which also was overruled to good (2 Corinthians 12:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10), as the "infirmity of the flesh" here.