12 Dear brothers and sisters,[f] I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws.

You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. 13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

17 Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. 18 If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.

19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. 20 I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.

Galatians 4:12-20 (NLT) 中文

Pure Gospel of Jesus

This letter from Paul to Christ followers living in the area of Galatia is all about the means of salvation. With full apostolic authority Paul sharply corrects the false teaching of faith plus works for salvation. In chapter 3, talking to Jews, Paul compares the law to the promise. He is now focusing in chapter 4 on the Gentiles – to address freedom from the law, the “elementary principles” (4:3).

Become like you

He changes style here to a personal plea. First he challenges them to turn from the false gospel and be free from the law (especially Jewish law in this case) as he is. He knows and preaches the true gospel of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. In a way, he has become like a Gentile – who is free of the (Jewish) law.

Paul’s personal plea

As we mentioned yesterday and is plain to see today, Paul really loves and cares for these sheep. He recounts his first visit to them when he had some physical infirmity. Rather than rejecting him, they embraced him. Why? He was telling them the truth of salvation, preaching good news they needed to hear. “Where’s that love now?”, he asks. In v19 and 20 Paul makes his feelings plain to see – he really loves them. He so wishes he could be there in person but since he cannot, the letter is his best effort (along with prayer I’m sure).

Check the motives

Paul then suggests the Glatians check the motives of the false teachers and exposes their intent. They want to steal them away from Paul. Actually, they are stealing them away from the true gospel. 

Verse18 is a bit tricky to know who is who. My understanding is Paul is saying it’s great that the Galatians eagerly sought him, for it was for a good purpose, for the true gospel. But he wants them to do it even when he’s not there. The NASB says, “But it is good always to be eagerly sought [r]in a commendable way, and not only when I am present with you.”

David Guzik in Enduringword.com notes: “Many cults use a technique informally known as “love bombing.” They overwhelm a prospective member with attention, support, and affection. Yet it isn’t really a sincere love for the prospect; it is really just a technique to gain another member.”

RЯeflection

• Paul so well demonstrated the heart of Christ. He was willing to go wherever God sent him to address a need for the Gospel. And he poured his life into the work and the people. He often writes, as in Colossians 1:9, that he prays constantly for his flock. Does this motivate us to be more compassionate, prayerful and connected to those we are called to care for?
• As David Guzik notes, the cults do “love bombing”. We have to be careful not to do the same – in the name of Jesus. Our love is to be sincere. “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) Another link to consider.