SLIDES

The Letter to the Galatians

Part 17

(Galatians 4:8-20)

Introduction

How many times have we heard stories of individuals who were alcoholics who had been sober for many years but faced the temptation of drinking again. They thought about how satisfying the feeling was when the alcohol began to kick in. Some even think about the enjoyment one gets from drinking with like-minded friends or as some say my old drinking buddies. They think about how fun it used to be.

But then at some point, they begin to think about the negative aspects of drinking. They think about the pain of their addiction, the struggle and disappointment of family, the struggle to go to work every day, the lost relationships, the health issues, the regret. Then it finally hits many of them as they recognized that the past held no real benefits, only a path back to pain, loneliness, darkness, and spiritual bondage.

This experience parallels what some of the believers in the churches of Galatia who were experiencing this in the spiritual realm. They were thinking back to their former way of life which at that time they assumed was fulfilling because they thought that keeping rituals was pleasing God enough to allow them to receive justification. Paul in this section of Galatians is urging them not to return to slavery by keeping rituals. This way of life leads back to bondage and away from the abundant life Christ offers.

2. Paul’s Personal Plea to Remain Fee not to Return to Slavery (4:8-20)

Galatians 4:8-9

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?

In verse 8 we see a contrast in spiritual lives before becoming a son and after becoming a son. He makes the point that before becoming a son, they did not know God in an intimate and personal manner, but they were slaves or in bondage to false god’s such as Zeus and Hermes as seen in Acts 14:11-13. These were idols that some considered gods.

The Galatian Gentiles had worshipped idols that they thought were gods, but in reality, there were not gods at all. They were just idols made from wood, metal, and other materials. Isaiah and Paul had insight into manmade items that one calls an idol and a god. Let’s look first at Isaiah 44:16-17.

16 Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.”

 17 But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.”

Paul writes something about this important subject in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6.

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.

5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

Galatians 4:10

You observe days and months and seasons and years.

One might think that Paul is referring pagan holidays since we have been discussing about the possibility of some of them returning to paganism. In fact, they are not Pagan holidays but are Jewish holidays.

Under the influence of the Judaizers the Galatians had at least begun to observe the Mosaic calendar. They kept special days (weekly sabbaths), and months (new moons), and seasons (seasonal festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles), and years (sabbatical and jubilee years). They observed these special times, thinking that they would thereby gain justification and sanctification before God. But Paul had already made it clear that works could not be added to faith as grounds for either justification or sanctification.

Idols and ritualism of keeping feast days or eating Kosher had no power to declare any of them righteous in God’s eyes. The spiritual blessing of justification and sanctification only comes through faith in Christ. There is nothing wrong with observing these rituals on a voluntary basis as we see in the following verses, but they were making them mandatory, which would lead to bondage.

Paul himself observed the Jewish feasts after believing in Jesus as the Messiah. However, he did so voluntarily, not in order to satisfy divine requirements. He did not observe them because God expected him to do so but because they were a part of his cultural heritage. He also did so because he did not want to cast a stumbling block in the path of Jews wanting to come to faith in Christ. In other words, he did so in order to evangelize effectively, not to gain acceptance from God.

1 Corinthians 9:20

To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;

Romans 14:5

One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

Colossians 2:16 -17

 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Galatians 4:11

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

In this verse we find that there is a real danger of reversion. Paul had been laboring hard to bring them out of bondage, but now he fears that, if they go back into bondage, he labored in vain.

Galatians 4:12-14

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.

In verses 12-14 Paul is pleading with those who were being pressed by the Judaizers to keep portions of the Mosaic Law. His language has intensified. He called them “brethren.” Today, it would probably be more appropriate to translated it “brothers.” He is not talking about physical brothers because he is not writing to Jews in this section but Gentiles. He is referring to spiritual brothers (and sisters) in Christ.

He is begging these believers in Galatia to be like him. Well, in what way does he want them to become like him? In the context of the book of Galatians it must be related to the Mosaic Law. During Paul’s time in the desert of Arabia, the LORD taught him all the things that we have been studying in the book of Galatians about the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law with all its requirements, regulations, rules had been replaced with the New Covenant. Jews were now free from the Laws of the Mosaic Covenant. They were no longer in bondage to it.

Gentiles were never under the authority of nor were they ever in bondage to the Mosaic Law They were free from it. It seems now the Judaizers wanted Gentiles to be under it was well. So, Paul was saying something like this.

“Become free from the Law as I am, for after I trusted in Jesus as Savior, I became like you used to be, no longer living under the Law.”

The last phrase in verse 12 goes with verses 13-14. Paul here reaches back a few years in the history of their relationship. In some cities Paul was not welcomed in every city in which he preached the gospel. In his initial contact with the cities of Galatia, in preaching the gospel of Christ, they treated him with respect and it was then he began to build a close relationship with them.

During this time the Galatians had cared for him in his illness, treating him as they would an angel, or even Christ Himself. Paul’s physical infirmity could have been an illness contracted en route to Galatia, a consequence of having been blinded on the road to Damascus or a consequence of being stoned. Some have suggested that Paul was practically blind. This would explain the reference to your own eyes, as well as the size of Paul’s handwriting, referred to in 6:11. This might have been the infirmity about which Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians. Paul had repeatedly asked God for healing, but God refused to heal him because He wanted Paul to depend on Him.

As we discussed when we began studying the book of Galatians, the tone of this letter is more serious than other epistles. J. Vernon McGee in his commentary on Galatians wrote. “It is a stern, severe, and solemn message. It does not correct conduct, as the Corinthian letters do, but it is corrective—the Galatian believers were in grave peril. Because the foundations were being attacked, everything was threatened. This letter to the Galatians contains no word of commendation, praise, or thanksgiving. There is no request for prayer, and there is no mention of their standing in Christ.”

The heart of Paul the apostle is laid bare. There was deep emotion and strong feeling. This was his fighting epistle—he had on his war paint. He has no toleration for legalism. Someone has said that the book Romans comes from the head of Paul while the book of Galatians comes from the heart of Paul.

Because of the nature and tone of this letter, there were those who did not see Paul in a positive light any longer. Amos 5:10 puts the attitude of some in the congregants in Galatia into perspective.

They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks with integrity.

Galatians 4:17-18

17 They (the Judaizers) 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.

In verses 17-18 Paul continues the truth telling. The Judaizers were constantly and consistently putting intense pressure on these believers to place themselves under the authority of the Mosaic Law.

The Judaizers were so eager to win the favor with the Galatians, but their intentions were not good. They were trying to shut off the Galatians from Paul so that they would pay attention only to them.  The Judaizers were only eager to say and do good things when Paul was around. When he was not around, it was different. Paul had the truth directly from God about the Mosaic Covenant. Paul armed with the truth was persuasive, and the Judaizers did not want Paul around them.

I don’t think that the Judaizers would be considered a cult, but it did have some of the characteristics of one.

Galatians 4:19-20

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.

Paul's approach to the Galatians demonstrates his pastoral heart and dedication to nurturing their faith. He expressed his frustration and anxiety over their spiritual state, yet he did so with a deep sense of care and responsibility. His use of maternal imagery, comparing his efforts to labor pains, underscores the intensity of his commitment to their growth in Christ.

Paul's zeal for their transformation was not born out of a desire for personal acclaim, but rather out of a profound wish for Christ to be fully realized within them. This spiritual formation is central to Paul's theology, emphasizing that the Christian journey involves a continuous shaping into the likeness of Christ. For Paul, this process is both an individual and communal journey, where each believer is called to reflect Christ's character.

Despite his physical absence, Paul's letter seeks to bridge the gap, offering guidance and correction. He hoped that his written words would convey the urgency and earnestness of his message, compelling the Galatians to recommit themselves to their spiritual growth and to resist the influences that threatened to derail their faith. In this, Paul modeled the balance of truth and grace, aiming to restore and strengthen the Galatian church.

Application

Have you ever noticed that during some Sunday services, you are going through the motions—standing, sitting, singing, praying without engaging your heart. Today, challenge yourself to actively participate in worship. Use your voice to sing praises not just outwardly but truly engage spiritually. Reflect on the lyrics, and instead of focusing solely on the order of the service, let your heart respond to God's grace and goodness. When we fully immerse ourselves in worship beyond the rituals, we'll cultivate a profound freedom and joy in worship that resonates with the freedom of the New Covenant.