PAUL'S PLEA TO THE GALATIANS

Passage: Galatians 4:8-20

Key verse: 4:19

NIV

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you did not know God,(A) you were slaves(B) to those who by nature are not gods.(C) 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(D)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved(E) by them all over again?(F) 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!(G) 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.(H)

12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters,(I) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness(J) that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and 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.(K) 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?(L)

17 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 have zeal for them.(M) 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.(N) 19 My dear children,(O) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,(P) 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

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Footnotes
  1. Galatians 4:9 Or principles
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul's Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you (A)did not know God, you (B)were enslaved to those that by nature (C)are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather (D)to be known by God, (E)how can you turn back again to (F)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 (G)You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid (H)I may have labored over you in vain.

12 Brothers,[a] (I)I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. (J)You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was (K)because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you (L)at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me (M)as an angel of God, (N)as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by (O)telling you the truth?[b] 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and (P)not only when I am present with you, 19 (Q)my little children, (R)for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ (S)is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

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Footnotes
  1. Galatians 4:12 Or Brothers and sisters; also verses 28, 31
  2. Galatians 4:16 Or by dealing truthfully with you
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, do not be enslaved again (8-11). False teachers had influenced the Galatian Christians to add Jewish traditions to the saving work of Jesus. This was destructive to their faith. They were in danger of enslaving themselves again to principles inferior to the gospel. Paul was afraid that he had wasted his efforts on them. Second, Paul's personal plea (12-20). False teachers undermined Paul's spiritual authority and relationship with the Galatians. Paul pleaded with the Galatians to remember their first encounter. Paul preached the gospel to them. He was also ill. They took care of him and welcomed him like an angel. They showed great love for Paul. But after meeting with the false teachers, the Galatians became cold toward Paul. Paul saw their zeal but they were zealous for the wrong things. Paul was in pain for them, like a woman in childbirth. He prayed for Christ to be formed in them.

Prayer: Lord, guard my heart against false teachers and teachings. Please give me compassion and a heart to see Christ formed in others.

One Word: Christ is formed in you