GALATIANS 4:8-20
AN APPEAL OF LOVE
The conclusion reached in verse 7 is that those who have received the Spirit are now sons and heirs of God. Paul now tells the Galatians they are not acting like heirs of God! So he asks them if they prefer slavery or freedom, legalism or the Spirit? Did they want to forsake their privileges as sons and return to the observance of rituals and rules?
The Galatian church and Paul had enjoyed a happy relationship, but the false teachers wanted the Galatians under their influence and guidance so they lead them into the yoke of bondage. The happy relationship with gospel truth and Paul the proclaimer of truth ended. Paul wanted them restored and once again eternally effective in ministry so he continues to discuss uncomfortable truth towith them.
There are many church, synagogue, and mosque members today devoted to rituals and rule-keeping. They are living in religious bondage. They need to hear that spiritual freedom is possible only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
I. RELAPSING INTO BONDAGE, 8-11.
II. REAL RELATIONSHIP, 12-16.
III. REAL RELIGION, 17-20.
Verse 8 indicates there is no right and wrong religious bondage. However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
Prior to conversion the Galatians, in their ignorance of the one true God, were in bondage to false gods such as Zeus and Hermes (Acts 14:11-13). Though Judaism is superior to paganism (Rom. 3:1-2; 9:4-5) as a religion both are here linked to religious bondage. [MacGorman, Broadman, 1971, 108]
Verse 9 emphasizes the fickleness of Christians. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
A great change took place when they came to know God (salvation from the perspective of man), or to be known by God (salvation from God’s perspective). Yet having come to know (gnontes, from ginsk, "to know intimately and on a personal level") the true God, the Galatians were turning back. Paul was amazed and dismayed. Did they understand that they would be going back to a state of religious slavery? Was this their desire? If so, why would they be attracted to a system that was weak (it could not justify or energize for godly living) and miserable (it could not provide an inheritance). The principles (stoicheia) of that system are "of the world," as already stated in verse 3. [Walvoord, John; Zuck, Roy; The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 602] Having known the freedom which God in Christ gives, they still turned again to the sterile principles of legalism. Don’t let legalistic religion rob you of what you have in the Spirit of Christ.
Moderate EXERCISE is good for you, right? Not necessarily. One study suggests that exercise may do more harm than good if you are being forced to work out against your will.
According to Jon Van and Ron Kotulak in the Chicago Tribune, University of Colorado researcher Monika Fleshner focused an experiment on the effects of forced and unforced exercise on the immune system, that part of the body that fights off colds and infectious diseases.
Fleshner studied two groups of lab animals. One group was allowed to run on exercise wheels whenever they liked. The result was an improved response of their immune systems. A similar improvement in the human immune system’s response is seen after moderate exercise.
On the other hand, the other group of lab animals was forced to run, their immune systems responded negatively in several ways, including having reduced levels of antibodies. The negative effects likely resulted from the stress of being forced to exercise.
The negative effect of forced exercise is similar to the spiritual harm of legalism. When people are forced to follow a code instead of freely choosing to obey out of love, they stay immature rather than mature.
Verse 10 lists some Mosaic law observances. You observe days and months and seasons and years.
Under the influence of the Judaizers the Galatians had begun to observe the Mosaic calendar. They kept special days (weekly sabbaths), and months (new moons), and seasons (seasonal festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles), and years (sabbatical and jubilee years). (Col. 2:16.) They observed these special times, thinking that they would thereby gain additional merit before God. But Paul had already made it clear that works could not be added to faith as grounds for either justification or sanctification.
The warning closes in verse 11 with dreadful apprehension. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
Reflecting concern for the Galatians, Paul expressed the fear that his efforts (kekopiaka, lit., "I have labored to the point of exhaustion") would be wasted (eik, "in vain"; the same word rendered "for nothing" in 3:4, "Have you suffered so much for nothing?") if their attachment to legalistic practices continued. [Walvoord, John; Zuck, Roy; The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 602]
Legalistic religion makes it difficult to tell who is saved and who is not. For the apostasy into legalism robs ministry of results. Pastor and teacher know such frustration as they see how unstable and/or nonproductive are many with whom they have invested their lives.
II. REAL RELATIONSHIP, 12-16.
The tone of the letter now changes from the argument of truth to an appeal to remember the real relationship they once had. Paul does not give up on their precarious situation as verse 12 reveals. I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;
Intensifying his appeal, Paul challenged the Galatians, "become like me, for I became like you," that is, "Become free from the Law as I am, for after my conversion I became like the Gentiles, no longer living under the Law." The irony, however, was that the Galatian Gentiles were putting themselves under the Law after their conversions.
Verse 13 begins the retelling of events of Paul’s visit to Galatia. but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;
[The last clause of verse 12 belongs with these and the following verses in which Paul related how he was received by the Galatians on his first visit to them (Acts 13-14).] When Paul arrive he labored under the handicap of an illness but was determined to preach the gospel to them.
Verse 14 implies that the illness had a repulsive aspect. and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
Not only did Paul endure his sickness so did the Galatian churches. Whatever his infirmity (he didn’t explain what was wrong with him), the Galatians did not treat Paul with contempt or scorn as a weak messenger but rather received him as one would receive an angel or even Christ Jesus Himself.
The world is often callous to people’s pain and misery. Paul commended the Galatians for not scorning him, even though his condition was a trial to them. Such caring was what Jesus meant when He called us to serve the homeless, hungry, sick, and imprisoned as if they were Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:34-40). Do you avoid those in pain or those facing difficulty - or are you willing to care for them as if they were Jesus Christ Himself? [Applic. Bible, ]
The reception of the Gospel brings the blessing of God. Verse 15 asks them to see and sense that that blessing is gone. Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
They had received Paul with joy, congratulating themselves that the apostle had preached in their midst. Their appreciation knew no limits; they would even have made the sacrifice of their eyes for Paul. [While some think this is an indication that Paul had a disease of the eyes (his "thorn" in his "flesh," 2 Cor. 12:7), the evidence is not conclusive. "Pluck out your eyes for me" was an expression for giving up everything for another, not an indication of eye trouble.] This may simply be a bold figure of speech to convey the high esteem the Galatians had had for the apostle—they would have given him their most precious possession.
Paul is saying that he has had a good relationship with the Galatians. Though he was ill on his former visit, they had not scorned him but had treated him as Christ had treated them. Now he wanted them to hold firm to the truth he had taught them.
Have you lost your joy? Paul sensed that the Galatians had lost the joy of their salvation because of legalism. Legalism can take away joy because (1) it makes people feel guilty rather than loved; (2) it produces self-hatred rather than humility; (3) it stresses performance over relationship; (4) it points out how far short we fall rather than how far we’ve come because of what Christ did for us. If you feel guilty and inadequate, check your focus. Are you living by faith in Christ or by trying to live up to the demands and expectations of others? [Application Bible, ]
Sometimes the zeal and enthusiasm which people show when they first respond to the gospel cools off under the influence of some nonbiblical teaching. What a tragedy that so many professing Christians are not deeply rooted in the faith and are therefore easily swayed. [Galatians, Freedom Through Christ, Colson & Dean. Convention Press: Nashville, 1972 ,70]
Verse 16 asks them if they had become enemies because Paul is telling them the truth. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
All the blessings of their mutual uplifting relationship had changed. They no longer reflected upon his presence among them with "joy." Rather, they now acted as though he had become their enemy. Why? For the simple reason that he had been telling them the truth. How fickle were these Galatians! They were turning against the Lord, the gospel of grace, and the messenger who brought them the news of justification by faith.
The apostle wanted to know whether the Galatians considered him to be their enemy because he dared to tell them the truth. He had not changed, nor had his gospel changed. Why, then, did they treat him as they were doing? They were acting as if they really did not want to hear the truth. But he knew that the change in their attitude had come about through the influence of their real enemies, the legalists. [Gal. Freedom Through Christ, Colson & Dean. Convention Press: Nashville, 1972 ,70]
Paul did not gain popularity when he rebuked the Galatians for turning from faith in Christ to faith in law and legalism. Human nature hasn’t changed much - we still get angry when we’re scolded. But don’t write off someone who challenges you. There may be truth in what he or she says. Receive his or her words with humility; care fully think them over. If you discover that you need to change an attitude or action, take steps to do it. [Appl. Bible, ]
III. REAL RELIGION, 17-20.
The Judaizers were apparently using flattery and threats on the Galatians as verse 17 indicates. They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
While Paul’s attitude toward the Galatians was candid, the legalists had improper motives. The apostle spoke the truth (v. 16); the Judaizers used flattery. They wanted to alienate (ekkleisai, lit., "to lock out") the Galatians from Paul and his teaching so that they would be shut up instead to the false teachers and their influence. In an interesting double use of the verb "be zealous" Paul said that the Judaizers were zealous to win . . . over the Galatians so that the latter would be zealous for the Judaizers! Acknowledging that it was good for anyone to be sought after, Paul nonetheless insisted that the intention must be honorable, but in the case of the Judaizers it was not. [Walvoord, John; Zuck, Roy; The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 602]
"They," or "those people" refers to false teachers who claimed to be religious authorities and experts in Judaism and Christianity, Appealing to the believers’ desire to do what was right, they drew quite a following, Paul said, however, that they were wrong and that their motives were selfish. False teachers are often respectable and persuasive. That is why all teachings should be checked against the Bible.
Paul bids the Galatians to seek his advise even when not present with them in verse18. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
In verse 19 Paul’s speech becomes tender and affectionate again. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—
The apostle had always had good motives regarding the Galatians. Addressing them tenderly as his "dear children" (tekna mou, an expression found only here in Paul’s epistles), he compares his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. He had experienced this once for their salvation; he was in travail again for their deliverance from false teachers.
We should have the same intense care for those to whom we are spiritual parents. When you lead people to Christ, remember to stand by them to help them grow.
The metaphor is now used to express God’s purpose in Paul’s travail for them, until Christ is formed in you. Paul longed for these believers to be transformed into (morphth, lit., "take on the form of"; morph in Phil. 2:6-7) the image of Christ. This expression describes the Christian life as a kind of reincarnation of Christ in a believer’s life. This is in fact God’s ideal and purpose—for Christ to live His life in and then through each believer (Gal. 2:20). [Walvoord, John; Zuck, Roy; The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1985, 602]
Several centuries ago, the Emperor of Japan commissioned a Japanese artist to PAINT A BIRD. Months passed, then years. Finally, the Emperor went to the artist’s studio to ask for an explanation. The artist set a blank canvas on the easel and in one hour completed the painting of a bird that became a masterpiece. The Emperor asked why there had been such a long delay. The artist then went from cabinet to cabinet; he produced armloads of drawings of feathers, tendons, wings, feet, claws, eyes and beaks of birds; these he placed one by one before the Emperor.
The Holy Spirit operates in the life of the believer, so that we may be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29). This is not done in the moment of our new birth. That moment is no more than the declaration of the divine purpose; It is just the beginning of the long work. The whole process is a detailed and painstaking progress "until Christ be formed in you." Then the day shall come when the Emperor of emperors will come for us, and the completed work will Hash forth in a moment. "It. does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 Jn. 3:2).
An artist was once falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. Although allowed to take his brushes and paints with him, he had no way of OBTAINING A CANVAS.
One day in desperation he asked a guard for something on which he might paint. Indifferently, the man picked up a dirty old handkerchief and tossed it to him, saying, "There, see what you can do with that soiled rag!"
The artist, being a Christian, painted an it his concept of the face of Jesus. Having labored hard and diligently on the painting, he thought he would show it first of all to the man who had given him the dirty piece of cloth for a canvas. When the guard looked at the beautiful image, his heart was moved; and tears welled up in his eyes. The painting later became famous.
If one man could take an old, sailed rag and make it glow with such loveliness that a thoughtless, indifferent prison guard was moved to tears by it, just think what the Master Artist could do with our lives if we would let Him have His way with us.
In our sinfulness, we are just old "soiled rags," devoid of spiritual beauty. Yet the power of God’s Holy Spirit can change us into a masterpiece of divine grace! [Henry Bosch, Our Daily Bread]
Verse 20 expresses the Apostle’s longing to further personalize his concern. but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
The apostle was perplexed about the Galatians because he felt their spiritual development was being arrested. He had a deep desire to be with them so that he could speak gently, though firmly, concerning his grave concerns.
CONCLUSION
Paul had a love for those converted in his ministry. He loved them and would not let them go even in their struggles, even when they thought him their enemy. This heart of a parent is also the heart of a pastor. When a pastor has cause to rebuke his dear children, he does so with an his arms around them, so that once again Christ might be formed in them
