Lesson Passage: Galatians 4:12 to 4:31
The Gospel of Grace – Personal Appeal and Allegory
I was thinking last week about commenting on the transition from referring to the readers as “foolish Galatians” in Chapter 3 verse 1 and then moving to Chapter 3 verse 15 in which Paul refers to the readers as “brothers”. Since these letters were read aloud to the church maybe Paul figured everyone who wasn’t a brother got up and left the room between verse 1 and 15 of Chapter 3. Paul uses a personal appeal to the Galatians in Chapter 4.
Read 4:12-16 ===========
NIV
I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
ESV
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Verse 12 As Paul lived like a Gentile to minister to them. He stopped following the ritual Mosaic Law. (1 Cor. 9:19–23). So now they should now be “like” him; free from legalism.
NIV – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
You can be an observant of the ritual law if you want but don’t attribute your righteousness to the law and don’t indicate that others should follow it.
NIV - Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
NIV - Colossians 2:20-23
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Paul stresses what a good relationship he has always had with the Galatians. Reading between the lines here; Paul was sick the first time he preached to them and it apparently had altered his schedule. It was bad enough that it caused some sort of difficulty for the Galatians. Paul reminds them of this time and asks what happened.
People often speculate on his “ailment”. Some even use this scripture to indicate an eye problem but it is possible that it is simply an expression like “give your right arm”. Other possible illnesses have been proposed such as malaria and epilepsy. I think I may just wait and ask when I get to heaven. There is no real good reason to even assume these verses are tied to Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” noted in 2 Corinthians 12:7.
I like Paul’s question, “Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” It really brings the issue to a head. I wonder if it was a common expression in their culture. I should be a common expression in our culture. You can certainly become someone’s enemy that way but only if the hearer is not wise.
Read 4:17-20 ===========
NIV
Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
ESV
They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Zeal – Legalists are often very zealous. The process is self reinforcing because if you can get people to modify their behavior to fit yours then it is affirming to “self”. They have a zeal to separate folks from the gospel so that they can be zealous for the program of legalism.
Little Children – Wow! This is the only time Paul uses this phrase. The Apostle John had a copyright on it. Paul’s concern was real and deep. Paul shows deep anger in this epistle (1:6, 9; 3:1; 5:12) but also tremendous love and affection for those that the Holy Spirit brought into the kingdom by him.
Paul’s use of the word “perplexed” means that he is at a loss as to which way to turn. He can’t believe they would depart and since some have departed he is simply unable to imagine why and how.
Read 4:21-27 ===========
NIV
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.
These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written:
“Be glad, O barren woman,
who bears no children;
break forth and cry aloud,
you who have no labor pains;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband.”
ESV
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,
“ Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
Vaughan says some think of this as an addendum to the main line of Paul’s argument. I sometimes wonder why people say stuff like that. It connects back to Chapter 3 verse 29 (If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise). In my opinion, Paul’s personal appeal to the Galatians was spontaneous as he meditated on our relationship to Abraham as heirs. I think the heart of the Apostle was stirred as he thought of the Galatians as his children in the Spirit. It seems likely that consideration of Spiritual offspring was the impetus for the personal appeal and that Paul is returns to his main line of reasoning in 4:21. Don’t get lost when Paul expresses his concern for the Galatians and forget what he is talking about in Chapter 3. If it helps you, try jumping from 3:29 down to 4:21 once.
Briefly recall the story; Abraham had God’s promise of children through Sarah. He was tired of waiting, Sarah was tired of waiting so they decided to help God and use Hagar (Sarah’s slave). Ishmael was born to Hagar (Gen. 16) then God (who had His own schedule once again and ignored Abraham’s) blessed with Sarah bearing Isaac in her old age (Gen. 21:1–6).
Taken Figuratively – Since all scripture is given by inspiration; here is God telling us to pay attention to Spiritual pictures in the Old Testament. It isn’t just history, it is profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof. The historical occurrence has a deeper significance.
Mount Sinai – The place the 10 commandments came from (Ex. 19–34).
Jerusalem – The place the law was fully implemented in the Temple.
Jerusalem above – The Temple and earthly Jerusalem is only a pattern of the heavenly Jerusalem. The reality of God’s dwelling with us was accomplished in Christ, the true temple (John 2:19).
Read 4:21-27 ===========Ishmael persecuted Isaac. Legalists don't care for being saved by Grace. We are not born in any ordinary way. We are born according to the promise; Abraham – father of nations.
NIV
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
ESV
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
NIV - John 1:11-13
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
