Lesson 9: Paul’s Pastoral Appeal (Galatians 4:12-20)

Introduction: Have you had friends who suddenly no longer are your
friend? In the days of Facebook, that happens to all of us! Perhaps
the most painful friend experience for me arose because of
theological reasons. My wife tells me that it was my fault. She might
be right, but I’m not sure because I did not want to end the
relationship with my friend. Paul’s discussion this week is about the
Galatians “unfriending” him due to theological differences. He wants
them to remain friends, but he wants them to do it on his (God’s)
terms. Does that sound familiar? Let’s dive into our study of the
Bible and learn more!

1. Illness Evangelism

1. 1. Read Galatians 4:12. What does Paul ask the Galatians to
    do? (Become like him.)

1. 1. 1. The interesting part is the reason (the argument) why
      he says they should become like him. The first
      reason is that he became like them. Can you explain
      that argument? “Please become like me because I
      became like you.” (It makes no sense on the surface.)

1. 1. 1. 1. How did Paul “become like” the Galatians?
        (Recall how, in Galatians 2:11-13, Paul recites
        that Peter joined in eating with the Gentiles?
        Paul says that I gave up the Jewish customs
        that required me to keep my distance from
        Gentiles. I joined with you.)

1. 2. Read Galatians 4:13. Here we find Paul’s second reason. He
    first stopped in their town because he was ill. Isn’t Paul
    saying, “I preached to you by accident? It was not what I
    intended.” How is that a persuasive argument why they
    should become like Paul? (Paul may well be saying that the
    Holy Spirit set in motion circumstances that brought Paul
    to the Galatians. This was a decision made in heaven, not
    made by Paul.)

1. 1. 1. Think about Paul’s two arguments a moment. Since we
      can assume the Gentiles still eat with each other,
      what has Paul changed that he wants the Gentiles to
      change? What should they emulate in Paul? (Paul
      changed because of theological reasons (Galatians
      2:15-16) and the fact that Jesus confronted him on
      the road to Damascus ( Acts 9:3-6). Paul wants the
      Galatians to become people who are willing to follow
      God’s direction for their lives.)

1. 2. Read Galatians 4:14. This suggests another reason for Paul
    to mention his illness. How does his illness create an
    argument for the Galatians to become like Paul? (Paul is
    concerned that a wedge has come between the Galatians and
    him because they are turning back to the law as a means of
    salvation. Paul essentially says, “We used to have such a
    great relationship. Even when I was sick, and was a burden
    on you, you helped me and did not harm me. Paul says, “I
    was that needy friend, and you still wanted a close
    relationship with me.)

1. 1. Read Galatians 4:15. Have you ever heard this expression,
    “I would have given you my eyeballs?” I have heard of
    giving someone the shirt off my back, but never my
    eyeballs! Why would the Galatians give Paul their eyes?
    (Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. Bible commentators speculate
    that Paul’s “thorn” was a problem with his eyes. Galatians
    4:15 provides a solid basis for this speculation. The only
    reason why the Galatians would want to give their eyes is
    if Paul had a problem with his vision.)

2. Eliminating Barriers

1. 1. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. This says that Paul becomes
    just like everyone else – at least temporarily. Does this
    mean that Paul has no set principles, he does whatever is
    expedient?

1. 1. 1. Is this what the Galatians should do to become like
      Paul? (Paul points out a very important theological
      truth – there is a hierarchy of values. The highest
      value is to bring the gospel to those who do not know
      it. Paul says that he has theological differences
      with several of these views, but he puts them aside
      to pursue the more important goal of sharing the
      gospel with all.)

1. 1. 1. Is this a theological point that Christians often
      miss? (These days I attend a church were those up
      front wear shorts and blue jeans. They do it to
      encourage more people to “attend as you are.” I’m a
      guy who used to believe it was a matter of honoring
      God to wear a suit and tie to church. While I’m not
      at the shorts and blue jeans stage, I’m not wearing a
      suit and tie, and I understand Paul’s message that
      winning the world is more important.)

1. 2. Look again at 1 Corinthians 9:20-21. Which one of these
    situations describes Paul’s current problem with the
    Galatians? (They wanted to come back under the law.)

1. 1. 1. Tell me how it would be helpful for them to become
      more like Paul?

1. 1. 1. Why would Paul not become more like them? That is
      what he says he does! (Paul wants the Galatians to
      get back on the right track. But, the ultimate goal
      is winning new believers. If the Galatians impose
      the law and Jewish customs on new Gentile converts,
      they will have compromised the goal of bringing in
      new believers.)

1. 1. Read Galatians 4:17. We just got through discussing how
    Paul does not want any barriers to converts coming into
    the church. What barriers concern him in this text? (He
    does not want barriers between the members of the church.
    He notes that the goal of the opposition is to “alienate”
    the Galatians from Paul.)

1. 1. 1. Is this a problem in your church? Those who think
      they have a “better” way try to create divisions?

1. 1. 1. Is there some point at which we must take a stand
      against the wrong thing? Where does Paul draw the
      line? (Clearly, he is fighting against those who want
      to bring the Galatians back into righteousness by
      works.)

1. 2. Let’s look at a couple of texts on barriers and line-drawing. Read Revelation 2:1-2 and Revelation 2:4-5. How
    is the church in Ephesus doing on line-drawing?

1. 1. 1. Read Revelation 2:18-20. How is the church in
      Thyatira doing on line-drawing?

1. 2. I think we need to go back and once again read 1
    Corinthians 9:20-21. Is Paul violating moral principles?
    (Notice that in each case, he states the correct
    theological position. He is not compromising truth.)

1. 1. 1. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19. What does Paul mean when he
      says that he makes himself “a slave to everyone?”
      (Paul is compromising his own rights. I don’t think
      it is fair to conclude that Paul is compromising
      God’s view of what is right and wrong. But, consider
      that God’s intense desire is to have all come to Him
      and be saved. That should be our goal. Paul seems to
      say “Don’t let lesser goals get in the way of the
      greater goal.”)

2. The Love Approach

1. 1. Read Galatians 4:19-20. Paul says that if he were with
    them he could “change [his] tone.” What do you think about
    the “tone” that Paul uses in these two verses? (This is a
    perfectly loving approach. Paul calls them “dear children”
    and says that he is in pain because of his concern about
    them. He says that he is confused about their behavior.)

1. 1. 1. What about the “tone” in Galatians 3:1. (No one likes
      to be called “foolish.” “Bewitched” hardly seems to
      be a compliment.)

1. 1. 1. Can you put these two “tones” together? (We used to
      call this “tough love.” You show love and you tell
      the truth.)

1. 2. Look again at the “childbirth” statement in Galatians
    4:19. Do you know people who love to correct fellow church
    members? Their “tough love” means they love to be tough!
    What does Paul’s reference to “childbirth” tell us about
    his attitude as he attempts to bring the Galatians into a
    proper view of salvation? (Childbirth is incredibly
    painful (so I understand). This suggests that we have not
    mastered the “love” part of “tough love” unless we find
    the correction of others extremely painful for us.)

1. 1. 1. Will this kind of pain be present in someone that we
      know only casually? (When we consider the practical
      aspect of experiencing this kind of pain, we know
      that it can only occur between those who are good
      friends. Correcting church members who you know
      casually is generally never a good idea.)

1. 2. In the introduction, I mentioned Facebook. What kind of
    attitude do you bring to Facebook when you write
    criticisms? (I can see I don’t follow what we just learned
    in Galatians! Although I’m more often writing about public
    affairs then theological issues, I fear that I lean
    towards the “bewitched” and “foolish” side of things
    rather than the “childbirth” pains of sympathy.)

1. 1. Friend, if you find yourself correcting fellow church
    members, and like me find you have not always done it with
    the required level of love, why not ask the Holy Spirit to
    change your attitude?

Next week: The Two Covenants.