Gal 4:12-20 (ESV)
Paul's Concern for the Galatians (continued)
12 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 the blessing you felt? 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.
“What went wrong here?” People often scratch their heads and ask that question as they ponder a failure in their lives. A project they were working on fell apart, a failed business venture, the loss of a friendship or a relationship, or when there is a rift in a family, “What went wrong?” It’s also a question that is asked in the church as folks wonder why someone left the church or why a ministry program isn’t bearing the expected fruit after long and patient investment.
That’s the question that’s on Paul’s mind right now in this passage. I like this passage because in it we see Paul’s heart for the Galatians. As we’ve read the letter, we’ve been doing a great deal of heavy lifting as we’ve been following Paul’s theological argument for faith in Christ alone. But now Paul abruptly shifts gears on us.
In this passage, Paul shares his heart as he speaks of how he came to meet the Galatians. We don’t know the physical problem that Paul was experiencing when he arrived; if he was sick or if he suffered persecution—and it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that Paul and the Galatians quickly formed a deep bond with one another as Paul shared the Gospel, and in the process, Paul developed a deep love and passion for these gentile believers.
Now Paul is profoundly concerned regarding the direction of the faith of these believers. He sees them slipping and falling into the hands of these false teachers and, like a good parent, doesn’t want them to fail or go off in the wrong direction.
As we soak it all in, we can easily see Paul’s heart and love for these believers as he passionately calls them to repent, return, and once again understand that their faith is in Christ alone.
Paul even takes things a bit further as he calls the believers to imitate him (verse 12). If he, a Jew could see that faith is in Christ alone, with no additional requirements (not circumcision, the adoption of a religious practice, status in the community, or any other qualifier), if Paul, a Jew, can see this truth, then the Galatian believers should imitate him and enjoy the same freedom and life in Christ that he does.
Basically, Paul wants the Galatian believers to thrive and not fall short or to be led astray in their faith in Christ. In fact, Paul’s love and concern for them is so great that he describes his feelings for them as a mother who is once again going through the pains of childbirth for them.
We get an incredible sense of Paul’s love for these believers in this passage; his desire that they know, love, and follow Jesus in every way, and that there would nothing that would derail or threaten their faith in Christ.
That's a constant prayer in my ministry, that's what I pray for concerning my family, and that's what I pray for concerning you.
You are awesome and you are constantly in my prayers; that you may know, love, and follow Jesus, and that your life would reflect the joy and freedom of His presence within you to everyone who comes to know you.
God bless you!
Scott