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The Epistle to the Galatians. Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1. Gal 4:15 – NKJV ‘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.’ The gratulation of the flesh – Rom 4:6,9
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The Epistle to the Galatians Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1 • Gal 4:15 – NKJV ‘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.’ • The gratulation of the flesh – Rom 4:6,9 • At the time of his 1st visit, the Galatians gratefully acknowledged the fact that Paul had come to them with the gospel. • They were so filled with joy and a sense of obligation that they were even willing to give him their own eyes. • A proverbial phrase for the greatest self-sacrifice - Matt 5:29 • Could this relate to Paul’s thorn in the flesh? • Gal 6:11, Acts 22:11, II Cor 12:1-7 • Going further, how about I John 3:16-18? • Think back, were you that grateful? • Rom 15:13 ‘Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ 1 Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel
The Epistle to the Galatians Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1 • In context, the Galatians no longer were blessed with Paul’s presence. • Can you relate in any way to this? • The old nature can so easily show up can’t it? • Gal 4:16 – NKJV ‘Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?’ • enemy – adversary, someone intentionally hateful • I tell you - present active participle • In general terms, why should the truth offend? • More specifically here • Gal 2:14 ‘But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?’ 2 Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel
The Epistle to the Galatians Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1 • This sentiment occurred after Paul’s 2nd visit to Galatia. • Events of 1st visit written in ~50 A.D. - Gal 2:1 • Events of 2nd visit written in ~54 A.D. – Acts 18:23 • Prov 9:8 ‘Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.’ • Eph 4:15 ‘but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ’ • Gal 4:17 – NJKV ‘They zealously court you but for no good; yes they want to exclude you that you may be zealous for them.’ • Who is ‘they’? • The Judaizers who showed great zeal for them, but were not seeking their good - Gal 1:14, Matt 23:15, Rom 10:2 3 Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel
The Epistle to the Galatians Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1 • Notice that this is done ‘not in a good way’ • The manner used and the result expected • Gal 5:4, II Cor 11:13-15, Gal 6:13,14 • ‘Legalism is self, self, self’ – McCalley CA • they want to exclude you that you may seek them • How does this work? • Motivated by the flesh - ego, power, pride • Think of some examples here. • Gal 4:18 - NKJV ‘But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always and not only when I am present with you.’ • The impact of emotions – be careful here. • always – at all times • A good cause – Phil 1:15-18, I Cor 9:20-23 • And being zealous is part of the Christ life - Tit 2:14, Rev 3:19 4 Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel
