Gal. 4:11-15 - An Example to Follow

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.

You Have Done Me No Wrong!

Vs. 11 - “I have labored... in vain” - He is not saying that he had wasted his time with them. He is concerned they have not caught what he has taught.

Vs. 12 - “Become as I am, for I also have become as you are” - This can be looked at in a few different ways:

• Love me for what I am, because I love you for what you are. Be like me, free from the strictures of the Law, and be free yourselves. (See note 1)
• I have abandoned observing Jewish holy days just as you did not observe them. Do not fall into the trap of using observance and rituals as a means of salvation. (See note 2) Paul used to follow the Law religiously (no pun intended). He discovered that was a hopeless journey by revelation from Jesus Himself (starting with the encounter on the road to Damascus).
  Paul loved the Galatians in a couple of senses: he loved them because Christ loved them enough to die for them. He loved them even more when they heard and believed. They became fellow believers and children of God - members of the family. Paul would have a special love for them because he was part of their conversion - they heard the gospel from Paul and believed.

• Don’t be angry with me, I am not angry with you. - This explanation is harder for me to buy, because of “You foolish Galatians.” (See Gal. 3:1,3). He was obviously concerned and worried they were being sucked into false doctrine. He wants them to know they are not his enemies, nor does he want to be theirs (See verse 16, below). He was upset and worried for them, otherwise this letter would not have been written.

- “You have done me no wrong” - Paul is worried, not offended, the Galatians are wavering, perhaps even turning from faith to works. The phrase ”From-faith-to-works” is a very churchy thing to say. It is shorthand for turning from believing that it is Christ alone who can save you, to thinking that you can make yourself worthy of heaven by the things you do.

Church members know that “saved by works” means not being saved at all.

Vs. 13 - “Because of a bodily illness” - Translation into English fractures the meaning here. It seems to say Paul shared the gospel with the Galatians because he was sick. I think Paul is reminding them he was afflicted with some ailment (probably some problem with his eyes - see the last half of verse 15). He shared the gospel anyway.

Vs. 14 - “You did not despise or loathe...” - They did not reject Paul because of his illness. Whatever it was, the malady was noticeable enough to possibly cause alarm for those who saw him. So, Paul is there with them, teaching and preaching (in small groups and large, as well as one-on-one), and they listened, eagerly.

- “Received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.” - How eagerly? They accepted him and the gospel as if Jesus had been speaking to them! Astounding! Think about trying to have a consequential discussion with a person, and there is a serious problem with their face, and it is repulsive. Think about trying to concentrate on the message, and not on the illness. This is the power of the Holy Spirit to break through our resistance and draw our hearts to Jesus!

Vs. 15 - “Where then is that sense of blessing” - Paul wants to know what happened to the eagerness and joy they had when they heard the gospel. The Good News filled them to the point that they didn’t even notice Paul’s physical problems. Somehow their warm feelings dissipated. What caused this? Had the faux teachers, the ones leading them away from the Gospel, denigrated Paul? Were the Galatians feeling guilty as they drifted away? Were they upset because Paul was exhorting them to return to the Gospel?

“You would have plucked out your eyes” - This is the reason it is believed that Paul’s malady was something to do with his eyes. There is no way to know what the problem was. Whatever the problem, it was obvious and visible to those who met him. Who do you know, and so admire, you would sacrifice a part of your body to relieve their suffering?

*** Note 1: from commentary by Chuck Smith
Note 2: from commentary by Jameson, Faucett & Brown.

Gal. 4:8-10 - Why Are You Turning Back?

8 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.

You Were Slaves!

Vs. 8 - “However... when you did not know God” - Before you knew and understood Jesus Christ - that He is the ONLY CHOICE you have to be saved (Acts 4:11,12) - you may have known of God, but you did not know Him. Remember, Christianity is not a system. Christianity is faith in a Person. (See: John 8:19; 10:15, 38; 14:7; 17:25).

- “You were slaves” - Paul moves our thoughts from being slaves to sin to being slaves to those who teach you. There is a saying “Knowledge is power.” Those who teach false doctrines have power over you. Paul is saying that ignorance of Jesus Christ is death. False doctrines are keeping you ignorant of the truth. You are slaves of your ignorance. In this case you are slaves to those teaching and leading you away from the true Gospel. These people are not God. More than that, these false teachers are not even gods. They are slave masters, under the influence of Satan. If you continue on this path, Satan will be your ultimate slave master.

Vs. 9 - “Or rather to be known by God” - This does not mean that God does not know who you are and what you have done; and when you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, all of a sudden He knows you. In Colossians, we are called “alienated and hostile in mind” and therefore enemies of God as long as we reject Jesus. (Col. 1:21). John tells us “he who believes in the Son has eternal life”, otherwise the “the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36) At the end of time all people will be judged. If they are not listed in book of life their destination is Hell (Lake of Fire. See: Rev. 20-11-15) Either we are His children, or we are not. If we are not, He does not acknowledge us as His children.
That sounds like double-talk. It is not. For example, if you go to a college football game. You are allowed in the stadium, and have a seat there because you have purchased a ticket. When you enter, you can get a stamp on the back of your hand. That stamp allows you to leave the stadium, and then return. You are allowed back in because they recognize you as a paying customer. (Don’t try to stretch this example too far.) Christ has paid the price, not you! When you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, you are identified as His. (See: Rev. 3:5; 14:1; 22:4.)

- “How is it you turn back...” - You cannot earn your way into God’s presence. If you know this, why are you letting yourselves be bamboozled? Following the Law cannot save you. Paul’s statement is astounding - the Law is weak and worthless. Not only the Law, but all other systems of works are useless, therefore weak and worthless. This is not a rhetorical question (“Kinda makes you say, ‘Hmmmmmm’.” - from The Smothers Brother’s Show). This is deadly serious. You have been taught the way to God, and now you are turning your back on that gift. Why? In Jesus’ name, Why? This is the way of death.

Vs. 10 - “You observe...” - Proof that they have turned away? They are honoring the holy days, etc. This is different than Christians celebrating Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost. Celebrating Christmas and Easter does not mean you are a Christian, nor does it save you. Outside of the church, Christmas and Easter have no meaning. Trees, ornaments, presents, bunnies and eggs have little to do with the faith. Going to church twice a year and thinking that should keep God mollified is delusional. Paul is talking about the modern term ‘virtue signaling’ - espousing without actions. Making a show of religion without the substance of faith and belief. Going to church EVERY Sunday, and being involved in activities is not the answer either.

A case in point:

I had accepted Christ as a youngster, but had drifted away in college. My wife had committed her life to Christ while in college. When we married, we agreed that church was important, so we were faithful worshippers wherever we lived. Having grown up going to church, I thought I knew what I was doing. (1 Cor. 8:2 comes to mind here.) I taught children’s Sunday School. I was involved, but actually I was going through the motions. It could be classified as “all head knowledge.” When missionaries stopped by the church to tell how Christ was working in their lives, I quietly scoffed, thinking they just wanted money.
My wife talked me into going to Explo ‘72 in Dallas, Texas which was put on by Campus Crusade for Christ. She had come to Christ through the witness of a CCC worker. She was impressed by the faith of that person and group. I went begrudgingly, to keep her happy, because I knew I had the answers. They couldn’t tell anything I didn’t already know. It turns out I was wrong, so very wrong! That time in Dallas, the ministry and teaching of Bill Bright and Howard Ball hit me like a thunderclap. I realized that I had been going through the motions. I was not committed to Jesus as Lord and Savior. I was not living my life for Him, nor in the power of the Holy Spirit. There in Dallas in June 1972 I committed my life to Jesus - confessed my sins, repented, and asked Him to come into my life. I was no longer playing at church, but living by the power of the Holy Spirit. I had been just like the Galatians, observing days and tasks and activities, but devoid of saving faith.
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Gal. 4:1-7 - Heirs, not Enemies, of God

1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

From Enemies, to Children, to Heirs

Vs.1 - “Heir... owner of everything,” - The first male child inherits the estate is the law in some countries. When he receives the inheritance he can distribute it as he wishes, or not. The siblings have no say. In essence the child is the owner. He just doesn’t take possession, or have any control until the father passes away. Is the child a slave? No. Has he stepped into his position of head of the family? No. He is basically powerless.

Vs.2 - “Guardians and managers” - Go back to chapter 3:24, in which the Law is shown to be our guardian until faith in Jesus is fulfilled. Repeating what has been said before: the guardian’s job was to protect, teach and train the child so he could step into the position of head of the family as soon as he was an adult. The words used for ‘guardian’ are different in verse 3:24 and here in verse 4:2. The previous guardian (3:24) is someone assigned to teach and train the child in preparation for adulthood. The sense in this verse is that of a superintendent or foreman of and owner’s property or business. God has never left us on our own, but provided a teacher and a roadmap to lead us to Jesus.

Vs.3 - “While we were children” - The ‘children’ analogy has several aspects. In almost all of the uses, children are uninformed (you could say ignorant). This is not intended to be derogatory, but a good picture of the teaching and training needed to raise a child. They need to be taught to not touch a hot stove, to not play in the street, not to scream in church, to have inside voices, to share their toys, be kind to others, to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. None of this comes without training. I believe Benjamin Franklin said, “Experience is a dear school, but fools will learn in no other way.” Children are ignorant of the consequences of sin. By teaching them things they need to know, you may reduce the amount of foolish learning they must suffer.

In other places in the Bible, being a ‘child’ is being immature in the faith. It means being ignorant of the wealth, and power, and strength available to us as God’s children. We are to be adult children, not ignorant of the responsibility required as a child of God. (See: 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Heb. 5:12-14.)

- “Bondage under the elemental things” - The essence of this verse: ignorance leads to being captive of the worldly nature, the sin nature. “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,” Col. 1:21 “Do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance...” 1 Pet. 1:14. While we are children of the world we are going to commit sin. It is our nature. It is as sure as the law of gravity. Under the influence of “elemental things” our glide path is toward depravity. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to lift us out of the spiral into destruction.

Vs.4 - “Fullness of the time” - At just the right time, when conditions were perfect... A study Bible I am using indicated, “Factors that made this such a suitable time included: world wide peace [Pax Romana], an excellent road system [again, the Roman roads], and the dominance of one language all across the empire [Koine Greek].” See note 1. (Interesting side note: It was Roman military and political power, but Greek culture and learning that dominated.)

- “Born... “ - God promised that a descendant of Eve would come to defeat Satan. (See: Gen. 3:15) It is important to understand that Jesus was fully human (“born of a woman”). See: Matt. 1:18-25; John 1:14; Luke 2:1-7. Jesus is also wholly God. See: Luke 1:26-38; Isa. 7:14. Jesus was also subject to the Jewish (Mosaic) Law, but was without sin. (See: Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21.)

Vs. 5 - “Redeem those who were under the Law” - This phrase is directly connected to the “born” in the previous verse. The Jews were born ‘under the Law’, subject to its command and ordinances. Gentile, not so much. Gentiles were not required to follow the Law since they were not part of the covenant. The Law is still a ‘tutor’ to teach us and train us about sin, and show the way to God.
Faith is even more important for we Gentiles. We do not have the history and relationship with God the Father as do the Jews. Our connection to God is more tangential, or perhaps asymptotic. By that I mean we Gentiles, until Christ came, had contact with God ‘around the edges’, watching what God did for and through the nation of Israel. Often we could come near God, but never quite touching.

- “Adoption as sons.” - Through faith all people, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, can be children of God. We are all God’s creation. We are NOT all God’s children. We now have the opportunity to be a child of God. Moved from enemies to His children. Moved from merely created beings - created in God’s image - to His children. See: Luke 20:36; John 12:36. This is significant, important. A child of the king is treated differently than a citizen in the king’s country. A citizen is treated differently than a non-citizen. A citizen or follower is treated differently than an enemy. God is fair and just, sometimes identified as “no respecter of persons” - meaning there are no favors given. The judgment is based on “If you have the son, you have life. If you do not have the Son, you do not have life.” (1 John 5:12)

That is the turning point: do you believe in Christ as Lord and Savior? This is the crisis that determines if you are a Child of God, or are not a Child of God. Your faith decision changes everything - His fairness and justice still apply - the Child of God is now judged on the basis of all debts paid and all sins forgiven through Christ. Those not accepting Jesus are judged on the basis of rejecting God’s salvation, and the judgment of death remains on them. (See: John 3:36.)

Vs.6 - “Abba, Father” - The word “Abba” has been transliterated into English, because we have no direct equivalent for this Aramaic word. It means ‘father’ but with a ‘warm affection & filial confidence’. See note 2. That is why the word ‘Abba’ is almost always followed by ‘Father’ in the N.T. Perhaps “Daddy” is as close as we can get. Little children call their parents Mommy and Daddy. Mother and Father sound so much more formal.

The relationship has changed (for believers) from “God. Father. Sovereign.”, to “God, Daddy”. The change is from fear to love and affection. (The fear will always be there because He is Lord God Almighty, but it is tempered with love and affection.) When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are given the Holy Spirit, who is God. The perfect love that God has is now ours, and the Holy Spirit speaks into our hearts urging us to call out to God as our loving and generous father - Daddy! This is why “we can come boldly [with confidence] to the throne of grace”. (Heb. 4:16) Compare this to Eccl. 5:2, in which we are warned to not be hasty or impulsive.

Vs. 7 - “No longer a slave” - We are slaves to our sin nature until we are saved by faith. We are not slaves of God. The nation of Israel were never slaves belonging to God - they were His people, His subjects. Israel rejected God as their king (1 Sam. 8:5-9). This was not the cause of their downfall into sin and slavery to other nations - it was a symptom of their stubbornness and disbelief. Despite all the miraculous events that saved the nation from Egypt and during the times of the Judges, the people did not see and feel God as their personal father. They were (and still are) His chosen people, but it was all too easy for them to forget this. Human nature is to remember the hurts and slights others do to us. Look at the animosity of the Arab nations towards the Jews - affronts from three or four thousand years ago are remembered. Look at the animosity the blacks in the United States has toward white people - 400 years ago blacks were brought into the U.S. as slaves. That has not been forgiven or forgotten, although only 150 years ago thousands fought and died to set them free. The American Indian tribes suffered tremendous losses in the 1700s and 1800s - some would say they are still suffering. Will these affronts ever be forgotten? Probably not. It is our sin nature, and we are slaves to it.

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Note 1: Holman Christian Standard Bible, (HCSB Study Bible), Copyright 2010, pg. 2018.
Note 2: “Easton’s Bible Dictionary”, as seen in App., “Blue Letter Bible”.
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Gal. 3:26-29 - We Are Abraham’s Descendants

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

Neither... Nor

vs. 26 - “you are all sons of God” - We transition from enemy to child of God. Humans are all creations of God. We are NOT all children of God.

If you have not confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you cannot count on being a child of God. (See: 1 John 5:12,13)
Being a friend of the world means being an enemy of God. (See: Jam. 4:4) Loving the world means the love of God is not in us. (See: 1 John 2:15, 16) It makes us children of wrath. (See: Eph. 2:2,3)
Jesus tells us we are no longer slaves [of sin], but now are friends of God. (Jn. 15:15)
The concept of being a child of God extends back into the Old Testament (See: Hos. 1:10, Isa. 63:16, 64:8). And, of course, the theme of being a child of God runs through the entire New Testament. (Jn. 1:12, Rom. 8:14, 19; Rom. 9:8; 2 Cor. 6:18; 1 Jn. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:10; Rev. 21:7).
Being an adopted child of God, means we have all the rights and privileges of a full adult heir. (See: Rom. 8:14-17.)

vs. 27 - “You... were baptized into Christ” - Identification with Christ... (In today’s culture “identification” has taken on a negative or bizarre connotation - males ‘identifying’ as females, etc.) In baptism, I am telling the world that Christ died for my sins. I willingly (gladly) accept His offering of salvation. In doing so, Jesus becomes part of me - He lives in me. I become part of Jesus - my life is in Him. Baptism symbolizes Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism shows that Christ’s death is also the death of my sin nature. It is buried. I am raised to new life - life in Christ. See: 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 Cor. 12:13.

“Clothed yourself with Christ” - The analogy of death and resurrection shows as you are baptized, you have shed the old self and put on a new one, similar to getting out of bed and putting on new clean clothes. See: Rom. 13:14; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-10, 12; 1 Cor. 15:54; 2 Cor. 5:3; Rev. 19:14. This idea is not new to the church - Job 29:14; Isa. 61:10.
Let me be clear, it is not just an analogy. The death of your old nature is real! Your new life in Christ is real! The death of your old sin stained body, and the new body received at resurrection is real. You have been born again! Without new life, there is no salvation! Baptism is a physical representation that helps you understand the spiritual truth of new life in Christ. Praise God that this has been done for you!

vs. 28 - “Neither... nor” - (See: Col. 3:11) ALL comes from and through Jesus (salvation, forgiveness of sin, eternal life). Where you are from, where you were born, whatever your station in life, it matters not. Nothing you are, nothing you do is sufficient for presenting yourself perfect, spotless, and blameless to the Lord. (See: Heb. 9:14, Jude 1:24.)

Only Jesus! Not deeds we’ve done, but Christ alone (Tit. 3:5,6)! That makes “all one” in Him. No one has an advantage over another, because Christ did it for us.

vs. 29 - Go back to verse seven in this chapter and see that you are in Abraham’s family. The Jews are very proud to lay claim to Abraham. Jesus points out they don’t actually cling to Abraham, other than the name. (See: John 8:39-47). We are Abraham’s spiritual descendants. God declared Abraham righteous because of his faith in God. God declares us righteous because our faith in Jesus Christ.

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