Galatians 4:12-20
Until Christ Is Formed in You
12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.
15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.
18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul asks the Galatians to become like him, because he became like them. He is not claiming that his personality is the standard for every Christian. He is appealing to the shared relationship they once had, before the present conflict turned affection into suspicion.
He reminds them that it was because of an illness that he first preached the gospel to them. His physical condition did not make him a burden they had to tolerate. They did not despise or reject him because of the trial in his body. They welcomed him as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
Paul asks what happened to that blessing. He knows the Galatians once would have torn out their eyes and given them to him, if that were possible. The language is affectionate and intense, but the point is not sentimental nostalgia. A relationship once marked by welcome has been damaged by voices that make Paul seem like their enemy.
Those people are eager to win the Galatians over, but not for a good purpose. They want to exclude the believers so that the believers will seek them. Paul says it is good to be zealous for a good purpose, not only when he is present with them.
He is again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in them. He wishes he could change his tone because he is perplexed about them. Correction is coming from love that wants their freedom restored, not from a teacher protecting his ego.
Questions
1 What does Paul ask the Galatians to remember about their first relationship?
AnswerHe asks them to remember how they welcomed him despite his illness, receiving him as an angel of God and as Christ Jesus.
2 How had the Galatians treated Paul when he was ill?
AnswerThey did not despise or reject him. They welcomed him and considered his presence a blessing rather than a burden.
3 What were the persuasive people trying to accomplish?
AnswerThey wanted to win the Galatians over for a bad purpose and exclude them so the Galatians would seek their approval.
4 Why does Paul compare his concern to childbirth?
AnswerHe is in pain until Christ is formed in them. The image expresses costly, patient concern for their restoration.
What This Means for Us
A person who once welcomed us may later hear us as an enemy when another voice has changed the relationship. Before reacting defensively, we can ask what happened to the trust and whether the new influence is drawing people toward Christ or toward dependence on itself.
Paul's correction is personal without becoming manipulative. He wants the Galatians free, not emotionally indebted to him. Good spiritual care seeks Christ's maturity in people rather than control over their loyalty.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, protect our relationships from voices that isolate people for selfish purposes. Give us courage to correct with love, patience for real growth, and a desire to see Christ's life become clear in us. Amen.