Sunday: The Heart of Paul
Read Galatians 4:12-20. What is the thrust of Paul’s message in these verses?
The initial indication of the concern that weighs heavily on Paul’s heart is his personal appeal in verse 12. The appeal follows immediately after Paul’s insistence that the Galatians “become as I am.”
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The significance of the word entreat or beseech is, unfortunately, not fully conveyed in some translations. The word in Greek is deomai. Although it can be translated “to urge” (NKJV) or “to entreat” (ESV), the Greek word has a stronger sense of desperation connected to it (see 2 Cor. 5:20, 2 Cor. 8:4, 2 Cor. 10:2). Paul is really saying, “I’m begging you!”
Paul’s concern was not simply about theological ideas and doctrinal points of view. His heart was bound up with the lives of the people who were brought to Christ through his ministry. He considered himself more than just a friend; he was their spiritual father, and they were his children. But even more than that, Paul likens his concern for the Galatians to the worry and anguish that accompany a mother in childbirth (Gal. 4:19). Paul had thought that his previous “labor” had been sufficient for their “safe delivery” when he founded the church. But now that the Galatians had wandered from the truth, Paul was experiencing those labor pains all over again in order to secure their well-being.
What goal did Paul have in mind for the Galatians? What result did he want to see from all his “labor” in their behalf? Gal. 4:19.
Having first described the Galatians as being formed in the womb, Paul now speaks of the Galatians as if they were expectant mothers themselves. The word translated as “formed” was used medically to refer to the development of an embryo. Through this metaphor Paul describes what it means to be Christian, both individually and collectively as a church. To be a follower of Christ is more than just the profession of faith; it involves a radical transformation into the likeness of Christ. Paul was “not looking for a few minor alterations in the Galatians but for such a transformation that to see them would be to see Christ.” — Leon Morris, Galatians (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996), p. 142.
| In what ways have you seen the character of Christ manifested in your life? In what areas do you still have a lot of growing to do? |
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The urgency and concern that Paul felt in Galatians 4:19 could be seen in his disappointment, that the fruits of his labor were not all that he had hoped. Verse 15 & 19, are also examples of his style and methods. Exaggeration and embellishment to solidify the statements, were perhaps effective but not necessary. An opinion of our current culture.
It is indeed painful to see all you have worked hard for going to waste. Paul begs the Galatians to come back to their first belief just like Christ does to us when we shun him.
I see a parallel between what Paul’s appeal to the Galatians and John says to the church of Ephesus.
Revelation 2:2-4 (NIV)
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
Entreating the churches to remember their first love and zeal filled by the Holy Spirit..Gal 4:15 -Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? The Holy Spirit leads men to the truth, despite the false teaching and doctrines infiltrating the church [John 16:13 – When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.]
Gal 4:12 "Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I am become like you…"
A challenge to have the heart of Paul in our various soul winning ministries, to fervently entreat and reason with our friends or loved ones who have either lost their first love in Christ or have gone cold in their spiritual journey. Making the time to visit, bible study and pray with them. Too many have fallen along the way or wondered from the truth, without the spiritual guidance or attention by the church family. Ministering at times to both physical and spiritual needs, to remind them of the love of Christ.
Let us “become as he is” …
A very good lesson for this week. In SA we launched TMI program total member evolvement in our churches. How I wish we can all be driven by the spirit which inspired Paul so we can win souls for Christ.
Sunday concludes with a powerful statement."To be a follower of Christ it takes more than a profession of faith it involves a radical transformation into likeness of Christ. In indeed without Christ in us we may end up losing it like Galatians. Work of God becomes a burden without Christ.
Yes, "To be a follower of Christ it takes more than a profession of faith, it involves a radical transformation...." This is what Paul is saying in Galatians 4:19. How did the Galatians fall away from this condition? Could this also happen to us? Preoccupation merely with religious theories without connection with Christ could possibly go this way. As to the Galatians: Preoccupied with justification by works of the law (Galatians 2:16; 5:4) they had lost sight of Christ, which is a very sad condition. And failing to behold the glory of Christ, they were no longer changed into his image. (2 Corinthians 3:18) No longer was Christ`s character revealed in their daily lives. Paul was concerned as they had begun in the spirit, revealing the fruit of the spirit, but now they were in danger of ending up in the flesh revealing the works of the flesh. (Galatians 3:3; 5:19.22-23) They already were biting and devouring one another. (Galatians 5:15) Being in this deplorable condition, they were trying to gain God`s righteousness by works of the law. (Galatians 2:16; 5:4)
All they needed was to be justified all over again by the gift of grace received by the empty hand of faith (Romans 3:22.24) and to be set free from the dominion of sin. (Romans 8:2) Then, looking to Christ, his character would again be revealed in their lives. Paul had this in mind when he expected Christ to be formed within them again (Galatians 4:19), which he also calls a new creation. (Galatians 6:15) Inasmuch as he is looking foreward to this change of condition, he does not give up, does not loose hope, as he loved the church, or else he would not have written this letter and would not have desired to be present among them again, even calling those apostates my little children. (Galatians 4:20) This is encouraging in today`s similar situations inside and outside the church when every wind of doctrine is blowing.
Winfried Stolpmann