Galatians Study Part Twelve: 4:8-16
NLT: “Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. 9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 10 You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. 11 I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. 12 Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws.
“You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. 13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?”
NASB: “However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 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? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
“12 I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 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. 15 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. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? ”
Paul continues with his references to slavery. Before the Galatians came to know God, they were slaves. They were set free when they believed the gospel message Paul brought to them while he was ill. Now Paul inquires as to why they wish to return to slavery. From verse ten, it would appear that those distorting the gospel had not only caused the Galatians to believe they must be circumcised, but that they also must obey other aspects of the law.
When one enters into a performance based relationship, one rule is never enough. Consider the dozens of rules the Pharisees added to just keeping the Sabbath. You have to keep nailing things down because it is better to be safe than sorry. That line of thinking never comes from a faith position.
One might think that Romans 14 is contrary to what Paul is teaching in Galatians 4. In Romans, Paul teaches that some may consider one day more sacred than another, while the next person esteems them alike. He also speaks of eating meat or only vegetables and that we should not judge one another in these matters. (You may also want to read Colossians 2:13-23.) I believe there must be a difference between here in Romans and where we are in the Galatians study. For those in Galatia, Paul feared for them, yet in Romans he did not. Could it be because in Romans no one was doing it as a means to become righteous before God or in order to be saved? What do you think?
Paul brings them back to when he first shared the gospel with them and asks “Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then?” The NASB says, “Where then is that sense of blessing you had?” and the NIV puts it, “What has happened to all your joy?” Something in them had changed since Paul first told them about Jesus and they had believed. We previously touched on this in comparing how those who are pulled into following church rules often lose their joy. It is because their focus has changed and faith is replaced with their performance.
Paul then asks, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” It can be difficult to reach a person who has been pulled into the performance trap. They have learned to trust in their own adherence to keeping a list of rules. The gospel has been distorted in their mind and now they believe their salvation and righteousness depends upon their actions. It is something that people can grasp. They go to work and do what they are told and as a result they earn a paycheck. We find it hard to believe that something could really be free. Paul had set before them freedom through Christ Jesus in his missionary journeys and they had believed. Now he was fighting for their spiritual lives, trying desperately to show them why turning to the law was detrimental to them.
********
Shop at our Amazon store! As an Amazon Influencer, this website earns from qualifying purchases.
