Welcome back for another week of Galatians. Last week we discussed falling out of Faith and returning to Faith. This week we will pick back up in Chapter 4 and continue our discussion of Paul's letter to the Church in Galatia. This week we will see some historical content of Paul's relationship to the Galatians and have a window into what his ministry looked like when he lived among them. I want to remind everybody to keep the theme of Truth in the back of their mind while we study this book. Truth is unchangeable, absolute, and proven without fault. God is the author of Truth and is Truth. God is everlasting perfect and without blemish. His Word given to us through the Holy Scriptures, called the Bible, is a physical embodiment of that Truth. We do not change God's Words to meet our limited understandings and beliefs but change our worldviews to align with God.
Galatians 4: 12-20 "Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the Truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you."
Verse 12 is interesting, and I want to highlight a couple of points here. The first thing is that Paul refers to the Galatians as brothers. This passage implies that Paul does not see them as hopelessly lost. The Galatians have not strayed so far from Christ that they cannot return. Paul reiterates his love for them, and that he still sees them as family. He only seeks for them to come back into the folds of God's family, and walk in the Truth. Paul is tying this passage in with our discussion from last week on falling out of Faith.
The second thing I want to point out is when Paul states that he seeks the Galatians to become like him, as he became like them. This verse can be confusing without context since, in the previous passages, we discussed the Galatians had turned down the wrong path. Paul is not saying that he got off the right path and strayed from God. Paul, a former Jew, left Jewish law to follow Christ. Paul left Judaism to follow Christ. In the eyes of his own nation and family, he became a gentile like the Galatians. Paul is asking the Galatians to do as he did and give up the Mosaic Law and join him in following the Gospel of Christ. Paul reiterates Galatians 3:16, stating that there is no Jew, gentile, slave, or free person; there is no distinction or difference, and that in Christ, we are all one and part of God's family.
Verses 13-14 are unique in that we see Paul, not the superhero holy man we often see him as when studying scripture. Instead, we see that Paul is like the rest of us, plagued by illness and the world's troubles. We do not have a historical account to explain what disease or problems Paul was experiencing while with the Galatians. Still, we do know that this illness delayed Paul's travels and allowed him the opportunity to minister to the Galatians. Paul used this time of physical weakness to let the power of God flow through him. When speaking to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, Paul says that God was able to use his weaknesses so that the message of the Gospel could shine through even brighter. In this passage, Paul reminds his readers that he is merely a man, and the true power of salvation comes not from him or his ministry but from the power of Christ working through him.
These verses are encouraging to me and a spiritual gut check. I can't tell you how often I decided not to continue in ministry or neglect what God was telling me to do, using my physical weaknesses as an excuse. These verses are powerful and tell us that we do not have a reason to put God aside. God will use the weaknesses we see as holding us back in ways to glorify his Kingdom (Philippians 2:12-13). The Galatians even saw the weakness of Paul and accepted not just Paul but the message God was speaking through him. The Galatians recognized Paul as an angel of God. We have talked about this before, but the word angel means messenger. It is someone that comes from God delivering God's message. Paul is not saying that the Galatians saw him as a spiritual being. The Galatians had no reason to believe Paul's message based on Paul's physical health. This means the Galatians came to believe in God through a man crippled with illness because they saw the spiritual power of God working through Paul.
Paul further explains in verses 15-16. Paul is asking the Galatians to reflect on their relationship with him. Paul asks them what has come of their blessedness. The Galatians, at one time, would do anything for Paul and for the Gospel he preached. Paul states that the Galatians believed so strongly in the Gospel and Paul's ministry that they would sacrifice their limbs for the gospel. But now, Paul has become like an enemy to them, pointing out their wrongdoings. I can't think of a faster way to piss someone off, no matter how close you are to someone, than pointing out what they are doing wrong. If you don't believe me, then the next time your wife or husband does something you think they could do better, be sure to let them know and let me know what response you receive. Paul views the Galatians as family, as his spiritual children, and now as any good father, he is reprimanding them, in the hopes they may return to the correct path.
In verse 17, Paul switches from speaking about his relationship with the Galatians to the false teachers' relationship with the Church in Galatia. The False teachers flatter the Galatians and, in return, seek flattery back. The false teachers want to be made known as great people and, in return, use the Galatians to build them up—the Pharisees were known for this in Jewish custom. Christ even confronts the Pharisees on this point many times. Jesus tells us not to fall into flattery and not to do good or religious deeds for the sake of man's attention. Instead, he tells us to do our good in secret, not looking for devotion or rewards from those around us (Matthew 6:3). The False teachers here only wish to shut this church down and make them fall in line with the rest of the Jewish society. They do not want the Galatians to follow Christ but to follow Mosaic Law. Paul came to deliver the message of Christ to the Galatians so that they might be free. These false teachers want the Galatians chained into slavery under the Mosaic law to keep them from hurting the reputation of these false teachers.
In verses 18-20, Paul begins to change his tone. He says it's okay to be lifted and praised, but only for good things. In this case, Paul says that the church should be looking to be commended for the work they are doing for Christ. James: 1:26-27 tells us that pure religion is caring for orphans and widows. Christ tells us in Matthew 22:36-40 that the greatest commandment we can follow is to love God and each other. Paul tells the Galatians that if they seek praise, let it be for their love of God and man, not for following these false teachers. The Galatians should not seek recognition from these false teachers but seek praise from God by following God's Word.
Paul looked at the Galatians as his children, his responsibility. He cares for them, and even though he is not physically with them, he takes it as his responsibility as their spiritual parent to see them grow with Christ. Paul is no longer speaking as an angry, disappointed father but now as a loving, gentle father showing compassion and willingness to see his children return to the right path. In the previous passages, Paul has already told the Galatians that it is not too late to turn back to God (Check out last week's discussion on this). Now he pleads with them as a caring father to turn back to God and live free. What parent does not want what is best for their children? Now that I am a father of three beautiful daughters, my every waking moment seems dedicated to helping to ensure they never lose footing and are constantly on track to living a prosperous, healthy, and happy life. Nothing pains me more than seeing my children or someone I care for stray from the path that leads to prosperity. I want the best for those I love, and I would give anything for them to stay on a track that leads to endless joy.
Perhaps you are reading this and have a loved one, a child, or a friend who has strayed. Maybe it is not from God but drugs, addiction, unhealthy lifestyles, or relationships. Perhaps you don't know what you can do to help, but you know that they live in pain every day, and you break in your heart for them. I recommend that you take Paul's method and apply it to those relationships. You must first confront them of their problems, remind them of the life they lived before, and open their eyes to the life they live now. Show them how to get back, take them by the hand, and help them walk back. You must be prepared to sacrifice your time, energy, patience, and money. You will have to go to their dark places, but you go there to be a lifeline, a shoulder for them to hold on to. Show them you love them. Show them they are not too far gone. Show them a better way, and show them that Jesus will heal all wounds and give them strength to overcome all temptations.
In the military, we all face many problems, and when we see one of our brothers or sisters go down a dark path, it is our responsibility to go and get them. I have experienced buddies on the verge of suicide, struggling with drugs, alcohol, divorce, and PTSD. In every one of these cases, they all had one thing in common. They were hurting, felt alone, and had no one who loved them enough to chase after them. Sometimes all it takes is a little of your time to say, "how are you doing?" Or "let's hang out."
We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we must care for one another. We must show them that God loves them, and through God, we love them also. We often prefer to gossip about someone who has strayed than love someone enough to go after them. Sometimes we are scared to be seen associating with someone in a dark place, but who cares what others think. We do not live for those around us; we live for the Living and Loving God. We love him, and in return, we love those around us, and this is without exception. God does not call us to judge; He calls us to love. He does not call us to accept the sin or darkness in others; He calls us to bring them out of that darkness into his light. We can love someone even if we do not agree with their actions or beliefs. Remember, as Christians, our job is to love Our God and our neighbors, and if we love our neighbors, we will show them how to love God.
Below are our reflection questions.
Have you been down a dark road, and who or what brought you out of it?
Who in your life do you see hurting or living a harmful life? What can you do, and what have you done to help them?
Spend one day a week not praying for a single need you have, but instead, spend a day just focusing on the needs of those around you and praying for them.
Are you living the life you want to be living?
What in your life do you need to change to live a more prosperous life for Christ?
If you or someone you know is struggling and seeking help. Please reach out to us, and we will talk with them or contact qualified professionals to get them the care they need. If you or someone you care about is dealing with suicide, do not hesitate to find help, dial 988 for the suicide hotline, contact a local pastor or base chaplain, or reach out to us. We at Triple Hares love and care for you and will always stand ready to help.
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