28 The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 6:11-13 - Message 28 – Paul Extends Himself To The Limits And Another Expose´ Of Those Who Were False Series

28 THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 6:11-13 - Message 28 – PAUL EXTENDS HIMSELF TO THE LIMITS AND ANOTHER EXPOSE´ OF THOSE WHO WERE FALSE

As we near the end of this heartfelt letter to the Galatian churches, Paul touches on a personal matter that raises much speculation, and he delivers another blow at these legalisers who were destroying the testimony of Christ.

[1]. OUR FAILING EYESIGHT AS WE AGE – BUT IS THAT WHY THE LETTERS ARE LARGE?

{{Galatians 6:11 “See with what LARGE LETTERS I AM WRITING to you with my own hand.”}}

The true meaning of this verse is not difficult when we realise the misleading translation of the AV/KJV is incorrect – [[“Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.”]] Paul did not write a large letter but what he did write, he used large letter formation because of probable eye problem or hand co-ordination. It is speculated there are one or two other reasons for the large size of the letters. As I consider the views in detail, I think the conclusion is that the true reason for what Paul wrote is uncertain but I favour the “eye” one.

The Church Father Chrysostom mentions he believes Paul wrote “rudely” or crudely”, as he tried penning the Greek that he was not too skilled at writing, and that was the meaning of his words here. That view has a following. No doubt Paul spoke Greek as well as Hebrew and probably was conversant in Latin also. It is not uncommon to be able to speak a language and not be able to write it, more so if it has a strange script such as Chinese, Arabic or Hindi.

The view that Paul was not too skilled at writing Greek is opposed by Greek scholar F.B. Meyer who wrote:- [[ “. . . secondly, that the charge of want of practice in writing Greek cannot be proved. The native of Tarsus and Roman citizen, who from his youth had enjoyed a learned training in Jerusalem, where the Greek language was very current among the Jews (see Hug, Einl. II. § 10) - the man who handled with so much delicacy and skill the Greek literary language, who was familiar with the works of the Greek poets (see Acts 17:28) and who was in constant intercourse with Greek Jews and Gentiles, - is it to be thought that such an one should not have possessed even the humble attainment of writing Greek without making the letters of an unshapely size?”]]

There is yet another view that sits in harmony with the earnest and caring Apostle – [[“But it is on the whole more probable that the largeness of the letters was intended to express the importance of the message to be conveyed. To those who have studied carefully the character of the great Apostle this view, suggested by the ablest of his early commentators and adopted by the greatest of modern expositors of his Epistles, will commend itself as in keeping with what we know of the man.”]] (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges). (It also expresses the great urgency of the letter).

Paul was anxious the letter got to the Galatians as fast as possible. Many of the names among commentators have the consensus [[“that his intention was to show the Galatians his earnest care for them, to make them attentive in reading, and the like.”]]

[[“Hofmann is also of opinion that Paul had not elsewhere written with his own hand, that he might not needlessly curtail the time for procuring his bodily maintenance. As if the dictating to the pen of another would not have involved just as much loss of time! Tertius and Timothy were hardly shorthand writers. Or is Paul supposed to have been occupied in tent-making during the time when he was dictating his letters, which presuppose so much abstraction and concentration of mental labour?”]] (CBSC)

So much speculation could be entertained but it is not worth the time. What is ironclad is that Paul was so concerned for these Galatians that he did all possible to get this letter to them. His heart was churned up about their departure from the faith; his pastoral care was breaking for them, his children in the faith. Earlier in the letter he wrote this -

{{Galatians 4:11 “I fear for you that perhaps I have laboured over you in vain.” Galatians 4:19-20 “My children with whom I am again in labour until Christ is formed in you - but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”}}

[2]. DID PAUL WRITE THE WHOLE LETTER HIMSELF?

Paul normally used an amanuensis to write at his dictation such as was mentioned here – {{Romans 16:22 “I, Tertius, who writes this letter, greet you in the Lord.”}} Whether Paul wrote part or whole of this letter it sealed it as being genuine, when spurious letters were getting around supposedly by Paul. The enemy does all he can to destroy God’s testimony.