Gal. 4:16-20 - Christ Formed in You

16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you--
20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

False Teachers Will Try to Isolate You

Vs. 16 - “Have I become your enemy” - Paul is saddened the Galatians have changed their feelings towards him. News they were unhappy made its way to Paul, which generated the question, “Why do you think I am your enemy?” It is possible Paul had chastised them earlier. Their disquiet had made its way back to Paul. He starts this letter with “I am amazed...” (Gal. 1:6), and later, “You foolish Galatians...” (Gal. 3:3), indicating he was unhappy.

Vs. 17 - “They wish to shut you out” - This gets to the heart of the “enemy” question. False teachers are denigrating Paul in order to turn the hearts and minds against him. This is the way of cults - get their followers to trust only the cult leaders. This is what Paul means by “so you will seek them.” He believes the faux teachers’ motives were bad - drawing people away from the gospel - as taught by Paul and the Apostles, as told by Jesus. If the teachers are simply misinformed their motives may not be with evil intent. If the teachers are deliberately luring people from Christ into works, their motives are from Satan, and therefore evil.

Vs. 18 - “Eagerly sought in a commendable manner” - Every teacher wants his students to believe and follow the teachings. Why teach if you don’t want people to learn and gain from your work? That does not mean every teacher has honorable purposes in leading others, nor does it mean all teachers have evil intentions. Remember Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana, and the horrible ending there. Recall the U.S. government raid on the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas. Perhaps one of the most horrifying cults (although not Christian related) was the Charles Manson group in California. The charismatic leader drew people to himself, to listen to him, and trust no others. The believers withdrew to separate themselves from society - tragedy ensued. It is commendable when a teacher leads people to Jesus Christ for salvation - Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected! Faith in His work, that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

- “not only when I am present with you” - As long as Paul was with them teaching and discipling them, they listened eagerly and gathered to listen. Paul knew it was good. He is saddened they no longer wanted to listen and learn. It is always good for people to want to hear from you and listen to you, whether you are with them or not.

Vs. 19 - “My children” - He is not turning his back on the Galatians. Paul loves the people he has led to Christ, and wants them to know Christ intimately as he knows Him. Peter, John, and Paul all refer to the believers as “my children”. Although they know Christians are children of God, they have a fondness and love for them because they are co-heirs to the promise.

- “I am again in labor” - Even though Paul is not there among them, he is still striving to see them grow and mature in Christ. He is teaching. He is praying.

- “until Christ is formed in you” - That is the goal - “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Not, “Christ Plus”, but Christ alone. There are at least two promises from Christ - abundant life and eternal life. (See John 10:10, and John 14:2,3, 1 Cor. 15:19) The goal of discipleship is to see the disciples grow to become more like Christ.

Vs. 20 - “I am perplexed” - Paul is puzzled, “When you already know the truth, how can you be lured away?” As it says in Psa. 73:16, “When I pondered to understand this it was troublesome in my sight...” He wants to see them and talk with them. His goal is their return to the truth. When that happens, his tone toward them will change. His heart and mind will be relieved, and will rejoice with them as their faith in. Christ grows. His tone as he communicates with them will be joy and not puzzlement and frustration.

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