'Ga 4:8-20

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Paul’s concern for the Galatians (Ga 4:8-20)

Before they believed in Christ, most of the Galatians were pagans, in bondage to idols of wood and stone. Now that they have come to know the true God, they are foolish to get into bondage again by trying to keep the Jewish law. By doing so they are not going forward in their Christian lives; they are going backwards (Ga 4:8-11).

The Galatians should live as those free from the law, just as Paul does. He feels sorry for them, not angry with them. He does not consider their error to be an attack on him personally, and he still has the most pleasant memories of their kindness to him when he was ill while visiting them (Ga 4:12-14).

They would have done anything for him then, and he hopes they will not turn against him now because of his attempts to correct their error (Ga 4:15-16).

Part of the Judaisers’ tactics in trying to gain control over the Galatians was to turn them against Paul personally. Paul is certainly not jealous when others show interest in his converts after he has gone, provided they have pure motives (Ga 4:17-18).

He is concerned only for the Galatians’ good and he is prepared to put up with any suffering to help their Christian lives grow and develop.

If it were possible he would visit them rather than write, for he is worried about them (Ga 4:19-20).