Building up People in Their Faith

Topic: Relationships

Passage: Galatians 4:12–20

September 3, 2022

Commentary

Paul knew how to balance rebuke with love. Within this text he shows through sentimental argument how he is genuinely and passionately interested in the Galatians personally. He turns from “spanking” to “embracing” as he reminds them of how they have loved him and how he loves them (vv. 12-15). He commends the Galatians for the way they received him in spite of the way he looked. Paul’s physical infirmity was a sickness that he was enduring while he visited the Galatian churches. It is not for certain what his problem was but many think it was an eye problem. It is always wonderful when people accept God’s servants, not because of their outward appearance but because of the Lord they represent. Do you avoid those in pain or those facing difficulty or do you care for them as if they were Jesus Himself?

After this Paul asks them a very searching question, “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth” (v.16)? In spite of their earlier love for him the Judaizers had come in and stolen their hearts. This is a warning that regardless of how much we get to know a person, false teachers can come along and turn our hearts to them (vv. 17-20). We need to be on guard of religious leaders who want our exclusive allegiance because they try to say they are the only one who is right. They will use you for as long as they can and then drop you for somebody else and your fall will be very painful. A true spiritual leader tries to get people to love and follow Christ and not to just use people to build up themselves and their work.

Application

How has my relationship with my spiritual leaders been? (Parents, teachers, pastors, etc.) If they are seeking to teach me truth I need to thank them and encourage them. As a Christian leader I need to express appreciation to my leaders. Also to be on guard to the cunning ways of false teachers.

Galatians 4:12– 20 (NET)

¹² I beg you, brothers and sisters, become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

¹³ But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself! ¹⁵ Where then is your sense of happiness now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me! ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

¹⁷ They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly. ¹⁸ However, it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ My children—I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you! ²⁰ I wish I could be with you now and change my tone of voice, because I am perplexed about you.