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.