Galatians 4:13-16 - Homiletics

A retrospect with its lessons.

The apostle seeks an explanation of their changed attitude toward himself.

I. HE RECALLS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS FIRST RELATIONS WITH THE GALATIANS . "Ye know how on account of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first."

1 . His visit was not designed , but accidental. He was travelling through their country on his way to regions beyond, when he was seized with illness and detained so long that he found an opportunity to preach the gospel. Precious infirmity to the Galatians! It was an opportunity providentially created.

2 . His preaching was therefore in a sense compulsory ; a circumstance which greatly enhanced the enthusiastic welcome of the Galatians. His infirmity might not admit of travel, but it was compatible with a considerable evangelistic activity.

II. THE NATURE OF HIS INFIRMITY .

1 . It was sharp physical distress. ( 2 Corinthians 12:1-21 .)

2 . It must have been humiliating to himself ; for it was designed as a check to spiritual pride: "Lest I should be exalted above measure."

3 . It must have been a severe trial to a man with such sleepless zeal ; for it threatened to hinder his activity as an apostle.

4 . It could not be concealed from others.

5 . It had a tendency to cause loathing in those who had intercourse with him. Perhaps it accounted for "his speech being contemptible" and "his presence weak."

6 . It was chronic. It is impossible to know what it was, though learned opinion gravitates between the theory of falling sickness and that of disease of the eyes. It had the effect, at all events, of checking him in his travels at a momentous period, when the Galatians became his debtors for the gospel.

III. THE SYMPATHETIC TEMPER OF THE GALATIANS .

1 . They did not treat him with either indifference or loathing. "And your temptation which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor loathed." His bodily ailment might have led them to the rejection of his preaching.

2 . They conferred upon him unusual honour and affection. "But received me as an angel of God, even as Jesus Christ." Angels are the highest of created beings, and it is good "to entertain angels unawares." But Christ is higher than angels. The passage implies the Galatian attachment to Christ, for they received Paul as they would have received Christ. "He that receiveth you receiveth me."

3 . They would have undergone personal suffering on his account. "I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." An extraordinary mark of affection! But it is merely a proverbial mode of speech taken from the indispensableness of the eyes. "We owe more than the eyes of the body to those who have given us the eyes of the soul."

4 . They had congratulated themselves upon their unspeakable privilege in having such a teacher. " Where is then the blessedness ye spake of?"

IV. SUGGESTED CAUSE OF THE GALATIAN CHANGE . "So then am I become your enemy by speaking the truth to you?" The apostle refers not to the plain-speaking of the Epistle nor to the occasion of his first visit, but to a second visit which brought to light the incipient action of Judaist principles.

1 . Enmity created by truth-speaking implies a grave departure from the truth. The truth-teller is disliked because he inflicts pain, but the pain shows there is something wrong within. People generally dislike to think that others know their particular faults. "Truth breeds hatred as the fair nymphs the ugly fauns and satyrs" (Trapp).

2 . The truth-speaker is our best friend. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" ( Proverbs 27:6 ).

3 . Think of the courage of the apostle. He tells the Galatians the truth at the sacrifice of their personal friendship and love. Truth was a more precious thing than man's esteem. It was the very truth of the gospel, with man's salvation hanging upon it, and therefore incapable of being betrayed or surrendered through any spirit of unworthy compliance or men-pleasing.