(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 4:12-20)

The thing that attracts me to Paul and his message, is that it is very straight-forward and laid out bare for all to see. Paul’s message, as he himself states, is 1 Corinthians 2:1-3 is clear,

1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.

In an older version of the NIV translation (1985 NIV), “human wisdom” is translated as “superior wisdom.” Paul didn’t come with superior wisdom, but preached a straight-forward message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, crucified for our sins, resurrected and now seated at the right hand of God. Hearers of this message then need to decide by the Spirit at work in them if they believe, or do not believe.

However, there is competition for Paul, and this competition in Galatia is coming from those that are preaching a “different gospel,” not of belief in the faith of Jesus Christ, but that of trust and discipline in self. The other gospel is self-focused, not Christ focused.

However, there is appeal to this other message, because it elevates the individual. Out of a crowd of ordinary Christians, it makes the individual stand out, isolates a group of religious zealots that look like super Christians, super devoted, and super holy.

That is why this other message, added on top of Christ crucified, of strict adherence to the law was so attractive for the Galatians. In 2 Corinthians, Paul also talks about “super apostles” that turned the people away from the simple message of Christ. These super apostles were so attractive to believers because of their eloquence, success, and their preaching a message of building oneself up to be better than others around them.

This unfortunately leads to pride, celebration of people, and makes our faith about the things of this world, that is external beauty and accomplishment. However, what did Paul preach in 1 Corinthians? He didn’t come with eloquence or superior wisdom, but came in weakness with great fear and trembling. This is the same Paul that came to the Galatians,

13 As you know, it was because of an illness 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.

However, things have changed because of the influence of these religious zealots who tempted the Galatians not to trust only in Jesus Christ, but to build themselves up for their own glory. Paul writes,

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.

The different gospel, the one preaching adherence to the Law and building oneself up is used to separate, to alienate, to make oneself feel superior to those around them. “What has happened to all your joy,” (v.15, 1985 NIV translation) Paul asks the Galatians? The joy for the message of Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, the joy of a God that loves us so much that He is willing to send His Son to earth to be a sacrifice for us in our suffering and pain so that we can be healed.

What has happened to all your joy? How has our faith become a competition, trying to separate and be superior to others, rather than being united and lifting each other up? Paul’s testimony is of his weakness, his fear, his struggles, and the grace of Jesus Christ in those times. That is the Gospel that we need and hope for in this world. Let us not make into something else, about self-reliance, power, discipline, apart from Christ crucified and Christ living in us.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Galatians 4