4:8-20
Repeated phrases:
(1) enslaved v.8, 9
Before they became Christians the Galatians were enslaved to idols v.8. Now, they wanted to turn to the "basic forces" to be enslaved to them again v.9.
(NET)"basic principles,” “elemental things,” or “elemental spirits.” Some interpreters take this as a reference to supernatural powers who controlled nature and/or human fate.
In v.10, Paul explained that the basic forces are the religious days, months and seasons and years.
(NET) In light of the polemic in this letter against the Judaizers (those who tried to force observance of the Mosaic law on Gentile converts to Christianity) this may well be a reference to the observance of Jewish Sabbaths, feasts, and other religious days.
Paul said these are weak and worthless v.9. In what way are they useless? Why did the Galatians put themselves to be slave by these and the idols? I think the Galatians wanted to be saved from sin. The religious rituals give people the impression that they can "purify" our minds. Same thing as the idols might promise to give to their worshipper. However, the results are weak and worthless.
Reflection: How do you handle your desire to have freedom to sin? Do you use any weak and worthless manner? Put yourself under the Law? Try to think positively? Or do we rely on the work that Jesus did for us on the Cross? That means, (1) Confess our sins (1 John 1:9); (2) Believe that we have died to sin (Rom 6:11) (3) Decide to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom 6:12-13).
(2) "I" and "you" v.11,12a,12b
a. I fear for you... v.11, I beg you...v.12a, I have become like you...v.12b, You have done me no wrong! v.12c
Those were the personal feelings of Paul towards the Galatians. Paul did not just teach them what was right and wrong and let them choose. He told them his heart feelings and really wanted them to make the right choice.
In v.11, if they chose wrongly then not only they suffered, but Paul's work might have been in vain, or have no result/purpose. Therefore, he begged them to become like him v.12a.
(NAC) “Look at what has happened to me. I was once a zealous devotee of the Mosaic law, stricter than any of you in careful observance of its many requirements. But Christ has delivered me from bondage to the law. I now live by faith in him who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20). Now I long for you to become like me, living in the liberty of those who are truly the children of Abraham and of God through faith in Jesus Christ.”
The second phrase is harder to understand. Paul said the way that he wanted them to be like him was the same way Paul did to them. When and why did Paul become like the Galatians? Perhaps this is what he meant:
In 1 Cor 9:21, Paul became like one free from the law to gain those free from the law...in order to (NAC) “to win over as many as possible” to the Gospel.
b. v.13-16 was the history of their encounters.
They have treated Paul very well. But now when Paul told them the truth they almost treated him like an enemy v.16.
(3) "They" v.17
They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly
(BDAG)to exclude or withdraw from fellowship, shut out, exclude
They wanted the Galatians to be excluded from their own church so that the Galatians would seek them (the false teachers) eagerly (when the believers were left out they could only seek friendship with the false teachers).
Summary: Paul had spent his every effort for the believers. He had the right to command them, but he chose to beg them. I think this is the effective way to move us to change. We are moved by our compassion not just by knowledge.
However, right now, their emotion to Paul was not right. They treated him almost like an enemy because of the disturbance of the false teachers. Their heart was manipulated.
Reflection: We need to be careful with our heart. Our compassion is effective in determining what we will do. Do we have the right compassion? Or our compassion is being manipulated now so that we do not make the right choice? Things that will change our compassion are subtle and therefore, more dangerous. They can be our friendship to some people (like the Galatians), or some books/ideas/groups of people, or simply the world.
Audrey
Repeated phrases:
(1) enslaved v.8, 9
Before they became Christians the Galatians were enslaved to idols v.8. Now, they wanted to turn to the "basic forces" to be enslaved to them again v.9.
(NET)"basic principles,” “elemental things,” or “elemental spirits.” Some interpreters take this as a reference to supernatural powers who controlled nature and/or human fate.
In v.10, Paul explained that the basic forces are the religious days, months and seasons and years.
(NET) In light of the polemic in this letter against the Judaizers (those who tried to force observance of the Mosaic law on Gentile converts to Christianity) this may well be a reference to the observance of Jewish Sabbaths, feasts, and other religious days.
Paul said these are weak and worthless v.9. In what way are they useless? Why did the Galatians put themselves to be slave by these and the idols? I think the Galatians wanted to be saved from sin. The religious rituals give people the impression that they can "purify" our minds. Same thing as the idols might promise to give to their worshipper. However, the results are weak and worthless.
Reflection: How do you handle your desire to have freedom to sin? Do you use any weak and worthless manner? Put yourself under the Law? Try to think positively? Or do we rely on the work that Jesus did for us on the Cross? That means, (1) Confess our sins (1 John 1:9); (2) Believe that we have died to sin (Rom 6:11) (3) Decide to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom 6:12-13).
(2) "I" and "you" v.11,12a,12b
a. I fear for you... v.11, I beg you...v.12a, I have become like you...v.12b, You have done me no wrong! v.12c
Those were the personal feelings of Paul towards the Galatians. Paul did not just teach them what was right and wrong and let them choose. He told them his heart feelings and really wanted them to make the right choice.
In v.11, if they chose wrongly then not only they suffered, but Paul's work might have been in vain, or have no result/purpose. Therefore, he begged them to become like him v.12a.
(NAC) “Look at what has happened to me. I was once a zealous devotee of the Mosaic law, stricter than any of you in careful observance of its many requirements. But Christ has delivered me from bondage to the law. I now live by faith in him who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20). Now I long for you to become like me, living in the liberty of those who are truly the children of Abraham and of God through faith in Jesus Christ.”
The second phrase is harder to understand. Paul said the way that he wanted them to be like him was the same way Paul did to them. When and why did Paul become like the Galatians? Perhaps this is what he meant:
In 1 Cor 9:21, Paul became like one free from the law to gain those free from the law...in order to (NAC) “to win over as many as possible” to the Gospel.
b. v.13-16 was the history of their encounters.
They have treated Paul very well. But now when Paul told them the truth they almost treated him like an enemy v.16.
(3) "They" v.17
They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly
(BDAG)to exclude or withdraw from fellowship, shut out, exclude
They wanted the Galatians to be excluded from their own church so that the Galatians would seek them (the false teachers) eagerly (when the believers were left out they could only seek friendship with the false teachers).
Summary: Paul had spent his every effort for the believers. He had the right to command them, but he chose to beg them. I think this is the effective way to move us to change. We are moved by our compassion not just by knowledge.
However, right now, their emotion to Paul was not right. They treated him almost like an enemy because of the disturbance of the false teachers. Their heart was manipulated.
Reflection: We need to be careful with our heart. Our compassion is effective in determining what we will do. Do we have the right compassion? Or our compassion is being manipulated now so that we do not make the right choice? Things that will change our compassion are subtle and therefore, more dangerous. They can be our friendship to some people (like the Galatians), or some books/ideas/groups of people, or simply the world.
Audrey
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