GALATIANS 4:12-16 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
NSB* - I urge you: To get beyond the present dilemma, Paul appeals to the Galatians to follow his example (see 1 Corinthians 1:11). He had abandoned the ceremonial rules and regulations connected with Judaism so that he could freely preach the gospel of Christ to Jew and Gentile alike in the cities of Galatia. They too should not hinder the gospel of Christ with laws and regulations.
Notes Reference - For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
Injured; is usually translated either to hurt," or by some form of the verb "to do wrong." In the AV of Galatians 4:12, it is rendered "ye have (not) injured me," which the RV corrects, both in tense and meaning, to "ye did (me no) wrong.". The Greek word here is ἀδικέω adikeo. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G91.
Moving to Verse 13.
Galatians 4:13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
NSB* - Paul describes the closeness and understanding that had existed between him and the Galatians when he had preached he gospel to them initially. (para), 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 (Acts 9:3, Acts 9:8), or as a consequence of being stoned (not that stoned - this actually means having stones thrown at you)(Acts 14:19). Some have suggested that Paul was practically blind. More on this later.
Note References - Acts 9:3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
Acts 9:8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
Acts 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
Physical Infirmity; The KJV reads "infirmity of the flesh". First off the Greek word for infirmity means feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty. The Greek word is ἀσθένεια astheneia. Strong's G769. The qualifier here is that we are told is "of the flesh" or "physical". The Greek word for "flesh" here means flesh, body flesh, body, human nature, materiality; The Greek word is σάρξ sarx. Strong's G4561
Moving to Verse 14.
Galatians 4:14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
NSB* - (para) In this section Paul recalls how the Galatians had cared for him in his illness treating him as they would an angel or even Christ Himself.
Trial; The KJV reads "temptation". The word used here for temptation in Greek means trial, testing, temptation (a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, affliction. The Greek word for temptation here is πειρασμός peirasmos. Strong's defines it as a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity. Strong's G3986.
Despise; to make of no account" (ex, "out," oudeis, "nobody," alternatively written, outheis), "to regard as nothing, to despise utterly, to treat with contempt." This is usually translated to "set at naught," Dobson denotes I ignore, despise I set at naught, ignore, despise. TBESG denotes to reject. The Greek word used here is ἐξουθενέω exoutheneō. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G1848.
Received; Thayer denotes 1) to take with the hand 1a) to take hold of, take up 2) to take up, receive 2a) used of a place receiving one 2b) to receive or grant access to, a visitor, not to refuse intercourse or friendship 2b1) to receive hospitality 2b2) to receive into one's family to bring up or educate 2c) of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing 2c1) to receive favourably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to reject 2d) to receive. i.e. to take upon one's self, sustain, bear, endure 3) to receive, get 3a) to learn. The Greek word here is δέχομαι dechomai. Strong's G1209.
Christ Jesus; My notes - it would seem self-evident that Christ would not need to be defined for this study, but recently there have been some that seem to feel it is less adequate than Yeshua or Yeshua HaMashiach. The Greek word for Christ means anointed; the Messiah, the Christ. The Greek word is Χριστός Christos. Strong's G5547. Jesus is the Greek word Ἰησοῦς Iēsous. It is of Hebrew origin H3091 יהושׁע יהושׁוּע Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation". Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites.
Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
Moving to Verse 15.
Galatians 4:15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
NSB* - (para) As stated earlier, 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 that Paul wrote about in his letter to the Corinthians. Paul had repeatedly asked for healing, but God refused to heal him because his weakness demonstrated God's strength (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
Note References - Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Blessing; beatification, i.e. attribution of good fortune. The Greek word here is μακαρισμός makarismos. Strong's G3108.
Bear You Witness; The KJV reads "I bear you record". The Greek word for bear here means 1) to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration 1a) to give (not to keep back) testimony 1b) to utter honourable testimony, give a good report 1c) conjure, implore. The Greek word is μαρτυρέω martureō. Strong's G3140. In this situation "bear" and "record" are the same word. Vine's notes - "to be a martus" (See A, No. 1), or "to bear witness to," sometimes rendered "to testify" it is used of the "witness".
My Notes - Paul even goes as far as to say that at one point, if the Galatians could they cared about Paul so much they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him. I think this really leans into the possibility that Paul was practically blind.
Moving to Verse 16.
Galatians 4:16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
NSB* - A person with pure motives and real friendship does not always say things that are pleasant to hear. Paul was telling the Galatians the truth, and as a result, was being labeled their enemy. Sometimes the truth hurts, but a faithful friend would courageously confront another.
Takeaway - In this case, the Galatians embraced Paul when he first arrived and took care of him, but the more they felt exposed because of the truth the more some of them considered him an enemy. So if you are getting accused of something always ask yourself if what the other person is saying is true. If you believe something is true, but discover it's not, do you embrace that? We can always defend against lies, don't give them any foothold in your life. However - if you are getting corrected by a brother or sister (and) that thing is true, then embrace that person don't run from them or consider them an enemy because they were bold enough to tell you the truth. Let us work to embrace truth and correction in Christ Jesus.
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