Galatians: A Study of Christian Freedom
Lesson 12: Back in the Day! Galatians 4:13-20
Once again Paul adds an autobiographical note. He is reminding the Galatians that he and they have a history that shouldn’t be ignored.
13 You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you;
Once again, this section introduces a note of mystery. Paul first came to the Galatians because of “physical infirmity.” The words sarx astheneia refer to feebleness, weakness, or frailty of the body. The condition was such that the dynamic evangelist had to stop traveling and stay in Galatia.
Just what this condition was is not entirely clear. Often, Bible students have assumed the ailment to have been an eye-ailment; to which Paul refers when he says, “you would have torn out your own eyes and have given them to me [to replace mine], if that were possible.” In the Middle East, many people suffered from serious eye problems, often from birth. Paul may have been among those. Then, again, the reference to tearing out their eyes may have been a way of saying they would have done anything for him. Others believe Paul may have had a particularly bad bout of malaria, which was a problem in the region. A few have suggested Paul may have had epilepsy, though that claim is usually made by those (often atheists) who wish to dispute Paul’s spiritual experiences such as the Damascus Road vision. In truth, the text doesn’t give enough information to resolve the matter.
Whatever the situation, Paul’s condition seems to have made it necessary for him to stay for a while among the Galatians. This, of course, begs the question: Did Paul intend to bypass the Galatians and only his sickness caused him to spend time with them? To answer either “Yes” or “No” is to pretend to know more than we can know. But Acts 16 seems to picture Paul as eager to move on to larger population centers. The Jerusalem Council having recognized his special call to the Gentiles, he intended to move on, either to the west into Asia Minor or north into Bithynia. Each time the Spirit prompted Paul to stop.
Going through Galatia seems to have been an unexpected journey, certainly staying there because of sickness was unexpected. Yet, during that time Paul was able to establish a relationship that allowed him to present the gospel to the largely gentile population there. [By the way, just in case it’s crossed your mind, I’m not ready to say the Spirit made Paul sick in order to get him to stay in Galatia. There are some Christians who believe God behaves that way but I’m not one of them. Besides, Paul seems to have been fully pliable enough to respond when he heard the Spirit’s voice.]
The relationship with the Galatians had a remarkable character.
14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
The responsibility of caring for Paul during this time was demanding and apparently the sickness “…was repulsive. [So]…it would have been understandable if the Galatians had turned away from him in disgust. But even though his illness was a trial for them to bear, they did not treat him with contempt or scorn.” Paul was probably thinking of this when he said, “You were very good to me before.” (vs. 12)
Paul’s experience should remind us that in presenting the truth that “all have sinned” we need to avoid suggesting that no one outside the Christian community is capable of performing a benevolent, charitable act. This good behavior has no more saving merit than our good behavior, but it is still commendable in a world where there is so much selfishness and cruelty.
Then, too, Paul’s experience reminds us that sometimes winning the right to share the gospel may involve allowing another to do something for us. When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink, he was treating her as no other Jewish male would have treated her. He not only piqued her curiosity, he affirmed her as a human being with worth. It’s something to keep in mind.
While their care for this ailing Jewish evangelist was remarkable, how they saw his ministry was even more remarkable. They welcomed him “as an angel of God,” as a heavenly messenger. In fact, Paul reminds the Galatians “you treated me…as if I were Christ Jesus himself!”
Now that had changed. In describing the new situation, Paul’s distress is almost tangible. Once again, the situation in the Galatian churches reveals a pattern of behavior that will be repeated by false teachers and cultists again and again in Christian history.
The strategy is simple: Undermine the message of the orthodox teacher by claiming that the message is somehow corrupt or incomplete. Historically, this has been the strategy of all the quasi-Christian cults from gnosticism to Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saints, claimed God had told him that every denomination was corrupt and had departed from the true teaching of Jesus. Openly condemning Christian orthodoxy, Mormonism advanced, in part, by appealing to those who had little knowledge of the Bible or history.
After condemning the message, it is easy to begin condemning the messenger. Apparently the Judaizers were able to persuade at least some of the Galatians to question the motives and character of Paul. That seems to be behind his complaint in the next verses.
15 What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
The strategy seemed to have worked. Once they had treated Paul as a friend but now they saw him as an enemy.
Of course, in disparaging Paul these false teachers were also attempting to build themselves up.
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them.
Of course, the false teachers did “make much” of the Galatians but their motives were wrong. Whatever flattery they may have heaped onto the Galatians was ultimately intended to bring the Galatians under their control and simultaneously alienate them from Paul and the other apostles. The Contemporary English Version captures the meaning: “Those people may be paying you a lot of attention, but it isn’t for your good. They only want to keep you away from me, so you will pay them a lot of attention.”
This is also the strategy of the cultists. Once an unsuspecting inquirers fall under the cult’s influence, they are warned against having anything to do with their former churches or friends who haven't discovered the “truth” they have now found. The cultists don’t want the old friends asking the tough questions or throwing the light of Scripture on the cult’s teachings.
In the end, the novice cult members come to see the false teachers as more intuitive, more spiritual, and more caring than their old teachers.
But Paul isn’t complaining about the Galatians’ change of attitude because he wants to be the center of their world.
18 It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
[Translations vary in their approach to this verse. Some suggest the zealous attention is given to the Galatians themselves while others suggest that attention is given to a cause or purpose that is more impersonal. Given the context, I think the first is the more likely intent.]
Whether he is there or not, Paul seems to hope that there will always be those who will expend energy on the churches, helping them grow and develop. But he wants that energy expended “for a good purpose.” That good purpose would certainly involve growing deeper in their faith in Christ and their understanding of the life of grace.
The false teachers were doing the very opposite: They were leading the Galatians away from faith in Christ toward a life based on works not grace.
This verse reminds us that Paul understood he was not the only person capable of ministering competently or faithfully to the Galatians. Obviously the Judaizers weren’t, but others clearly could. The apostle knew he had certain skill-sets and while others had other skill-sets. Later, when he wrote to the divided Corinthians, he would explain this in gardening terms: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
19 My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
These verses continue to reveal Paul’s strong concern for these Christians who are on the brink of spiritual disaster. Herbert Nygren hears “agony” in Paul’s voice as he writes these words. He say, “Paul sees them reverting to a state of immaturity in which their faith in Christ is not strong enough to enable them to reject the false gospel that has been preached to them.”
He saw the Galatians as his “little children.” Though he had expressed his anger at their folly, it was a parent’s anger rooted in love. He feared his ambition for them would be sidetracked, that he would not see “Christ formed in them.” He wanted Christ’s character to be reflected in their lives. Following the way set out by the false teachers would keep that from happening; the love and graciousness that marked Christ’s character would be replaced with a harsh, judgmental approach to others.
Paul uses the image of childbirth to describe his feelings; it is as if he were feeling the pains of childbirth all over again in his distress over the situation. He says he is “perplexed.” The word means he is both fearful about their future and confused about why they are flirting with error. Remember, this is the Apostle Paul admitting to feelings almost any parent might have when a beloved child seems on the brink of taking a disastrous step. Like most parents in such a situation, he wishes he might somehow be there to deal with the situation; be there and take an approach that allows for calm discussion, be there so they could hear the concern in his voice.
But that was not to be; so he had to continue to try to persuade them through his letter, however sharp his words might sound. But he hoped they knew that very sharpness was rooted in his parental love for them.
Yet that sharpness was accompanied by an effort to seek out as many lines of evidence proving is case as he could find. That evidence which would conclude his argument would come from a strange and tragic incident in Israel’s earliest history.
OBSERVATIONS
Let’s look at two facts that are clear from this passage and the opening verses of Acts 16.
First, Paul possessed a powerful passion to serve God through the preaching of the gospel. That passion drove him to go further and further from Jerusalem and led him to become more and more involved in the lives of those he might have once held in contempt.
Second, Paul, the man driven by that passion, became ill. Whatever the illness may have been, it was serious enough to stop him.
Now, think about how these two facts are related.
The first (a passion to serve God) did not rule out the second (his sickness). Some Christians still find it amazing that God does not protect those committed to him from crises and troubles. Yet, the records of history’s most committed saints reveal he does not. Their commitment does not protect them from trouble.
The second (his sickness) did not prevent him from pursuing the first (his passion to serve God). Paul may not have intended to evangelize the Galatians, but when the opportunity presented itself, he would not squander it.
It’s not hard to imagine Paul lying in a sickbed in some kind person’s home, regaining his strength while strangers cared for him. It’s also not hard to imagine him saying a good word about Jesus to that woman bringing his meals or to any visitors who might have come to keep him company. Then, as he strength increased, we can imagine him sitting outside the home, speaking of Christ to any who might pass by. Then, we can imagine him, his health regained, preaching in the local synagogue or at some other gathering place. Finally, we can imagine him saying farewell to a band of new Christians who were grounded in the faith and growing in grace.
Now, imagine if Paul had said to himself, “I’m sick. I’m going to focus on getting well and then, when I’m back on the road, I’ll start evangelizing again.”
Yes, there are times when we should focus attention on our own needs, but it’s a rare circumstance that completely prevents us from being salt and light.
