Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Reading

Galatians 4:8–11 ESV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

Galatians 4:12–16 ESV

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 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?

Galatians 4:17–20 ESV

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.

Sermon

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Paul confronts Hyporcisy

Reminded them of their experience of Salvation

Justified by Faith

Sons & Heirs, Gift of the Holy Spirit

Rejection of God

Galatians 4:8 ESV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

“know” - intimate relationship

enslaved by that which is not God

Galatians 4:9 ESV

9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Known by God

Madess to return to a state of bondage

worthless elementary principles of the world

Galatians 4:10 ESV

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years!

Agriculture, politics, business & ordinary life

bound by ritual - example of the slavery

Jewish or Pagan, earning favour

Galatians 4:11 ESV

11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

Paul is afraid for their souls

it cannot but be painful for a faithful minister

much of the work of faithful ministers is in vain

those who profess faith and give way to the flesh

Christian Love

Galatians 4:12 ESV

12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.

Put yourself in my shoes as I have put myself in yours

OR:

Be as frank and loving with me as I have been with you

More likely:

Paul expresses he became as a Gentile to win them for Christ

why then aim to become a jew?

Paul makes it clear there is no personal resentment

Must prevail :- honour of God, and their spiritual welfare

Galatians 4:13–14 ESV

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.

Paul ”thorn in the flesh”

Flesh or corruptable, human flaw

Spiritual or emotion

Believed to be:

Health

Persecution

Personality or manner of speaking

They showed high respect to him

how easy it was to change from respect to contempt

Love Rejected

Galatians 4:15 ESV

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.

Eyes of significant value, a cultural prhase

What has become of your love and happiness?

Character of False Teachers

Galatians 4:16 ESV

16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

How has Paul become their enemy?

All he has done is to tell them the truth

Galatians 4:17 ESV

17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

Character of False Teachers

Praised you and made you feel important

Manipulate you to fulfil their desires (they dwell in the shaddows)

They though only care for their own benefit

Paul’s Passion

Galatians 4:18–19 ESV

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!

It is always good to be passionate for good purpose

Paul likens his care of them as a parent, a desire to prepare them for Christ

Galatians 4:20 ESV

20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Paul desires to be with them in person

Conclusion

Paul’s concern if for their salvation

Despairs of their rejection of God, caricatured as rejection against Paul