Galatians 4:19-20 - Homiletics

A tender appeal to his converts.

The Epistle alternates from reproof to argument and from argument to entreaty.

I. THE APOSTLE 'S EARNEST DESIRE FOR THEIR GROWTH INTO SPIRITUAL MANHOOD . "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you."

1 . Mark the tenderness of his address. "My little children;" implying

2 . Mark his deep anxiety on their account. "Of whom I travail in birth again." The idea not being so much that of pain as of long-continued effort; it was a renewal to him of the birth-pains that accompanied their regeneration.

3 . Mark the end of all his anxiety. "Till Christ be formed in you." This Peters, not to their regeneration, but to their progressive sanctification. The false teachers had tried to form a new shape in their hearts—not Christ, but Moses—but he aimed at the complete development of their spiritual manhood, at the fully formed results of Christ within them.

II. HIS PERPLEXITY ON THEIR ACCOUNT . "I am perplexed about you;" as to their actual spiritual condition as well as how to recover them to the truth of the gospel. If the apostle had doubts about the Galatians, they might well have doubts about themselves—a proof that faith may consist with doubts of our personal salvation.

III. HIS DESIRE FOR A PERSONAL INTERVIEW . "I could, indeed, wish to be present with you now and to change my voice."

1 . A personal interview would necessarily dissipate many misapprehensions.

2 . It might revive the old affection in its entireness.

3 . It would give him an opportunity of changing his tone. He had been severe in his rebukes, but if present with them he might deal with them with all the softness and tenderness of a mother. "A letter is a dead messenger, for it can give no more than it hath." But the living voice can adapt itself closely to all times, occasions, and persons.