COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 39
Gal 4:15 “Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.”. . . . . . . . . (Gal 4:15-18)
ZEAL MUST BE PROPERLY DIRECTED
INTRODUCTION
When men and women of God speak the truth of God, they are at risk of turning people against themselves. That has always been true. Some people modify what they say to avoid this circumstance, but in so doing, they have set themselves against the God of truth. Paul now presses the point that the Galatians were thoroughly wrong in giving heed to “another gospel,” and thus neglecting the one that he had preached to them. This is because other gospels are inimical against the truth. That is why such messages are called “another gospel.” Furthermore, to reject the true Gospel makes the proponent of that Gospel your enemy. The Jews confirmed this in the manner in which they treated the prophets, and the Lord Jesus Himself. We will see something else in this text. Every religious person is zealous for something, even though they may be lukewarm toward Jesus. Hostility is resident in every lie perpetrated by the devil. This is because there is enmity between the truth and the lie, between the true Gospel and “another Gospel.” This is not the result of being legalistic – unless such is found among those who oppose the Gospel. If men wonder why believers are upset when erroneous dogmas are set before them, they must understand what has happened. Poison has been placed in the presence of those who are nourished by the truth of God. The scorpion of false doctrine is slithering around those who have received “the love of the truth.” They cannot be indifferent to the circumstance, for the Tempter is at work through misconceptions and doctrinal errors. These are the work of the wicked one, not the Righteous One! Thus Paul speaks as he does. Now he is showing how utterly unreasonable the Galatians have been in embracing a false gospel, and siding against him with the devil and those who have been deceived by him.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR BLESSEDNESS?
Gal 4:15 “Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.”
Paul is in the process of stirring up the recollections of the past. This, of course, presumes that there were memories that were precious, and could be used to induce sound thinking. Those with no such recollections ought not to be challenged to remember the past. For example, for Israel to reason, “I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now” (Hosea 2:7), requires that there be some experience that attests to what was reasoned. Those with no such memories cannot think this way. What Paul now states is not something he carnally hopes was true, or a condition that should have existed among the Galatians. It is the citation of a very real experience – one they would be able to recognize and confess to be true.
WHERE IS THE BLESSEDNESS? Other versions read, “that sense of blessing you had,” NASB What has happened to your joy,” NIV “the good will you felt,” NRSV “the satisfaction you felt,” RSV “that gratulation [expectation of good] of yourselves,” ASV “that happy condition of yours,” BBE “your felicitie [state of being happy],” GENEVA “positive attitude,” GWN “sense of blessing,” NAU “the utter contentment,” NJB “joyful and grateful spirit,” NLT and “that blessed enjoyment and satisfaction and self-congratulation that once was yours [in what I taught you and in your regard for me]?” AMPLIFIED
You see how large a word is “blessedness!” It requires extensive explanation, unless its meaning is readily sensed by the reader. People with simplistic vocabularies will have no idea what is intended by the word. “Blessedness” speaks of satisfaction, perceived benefits, realizing perceived advantages, being grateful, and possessing the joy of the Lord.
In this text it has to do with perceiving ad receiving what Paul taught. It is the joy of receiving the love of the truth, then having the advantage of hearing an abundance of it. What servant of God has not witnessed souls whose hearts leaped for joy at the very sound of the truth, yet who were reduced to a state where the very things that once delighted them were now viewed with disdain? That is a sad state to behold, and it is what Paul is addressing.
I BEAR YOU RECORD. Other versions read, “I bear you witness,” NKJV and “I can testify.” NIV That is, the Galatians had forgotten their original response to Paul, but he had not forgotten. Their direction had taken the blessed memory from them, but it had not taken it from Paul. There are some people whom I have never associated with zeal and spiritual determination. I have never known of them to be wholly given to the Lord, but have only known them as people with divided interests. Yet, there are others who, like the Galatians, were once consumed with their zeal for the Lord and a determination to know Him and benefit from every word from Him.
IF IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE. Other versions read, “if you could have done so,” NIV and “if it could be done.” DOUAY If there is one thing that distinguishes those who are eaten up with the zeal of the Lord, it is this: they earnestly desire to do more than they are able. It was this attitude that moved the brethren in Macedonia as those who “beyond their power” were “willing of themselves” to give to the needy saints in Jerusalem, having first given “their own selves to the Lord,” and then to Paul and his brethren “by the will of God” (2 Cor 8:1-5). Those who do not think in such a manner ponder their own restrictions, and desire to do only the bare minimum. They confine their thinking to what God obligates them to do, conveniently overlooking that He demands all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
YOU WOULD HAVE PLUCKED OUT YOUR OWN EYES. Other versions read, “torn out your eyes and given them to me,” NIV “torn out your own eyes and have given them to me [to replace mine],” AMPLIFIED “gouged out your eyes and given them to me.” CJB
I do not know how to avoid the association of this statement with Paul having an “infirmity of the flesh” when he first preached to them – something they did not despise at the time (Gal 4:13-14). Notice how Paul also links this desire with the “blessedness” they first experienced when they believed. They could not divorce the Gospel from the one who had proclaimed it to them. They would have given him their eyes if it had been possible.
I do not see how one can avoid the conclusion that something was wrong with Paul’s eyes, else this desire would make no sense at all. Was this the “thorn” to which Paul alludes in Second Corinthians (2 Cor 12:7)? To me, there is no doubt about it. This was such a grievous condition that it hindered his travels (4:13-14), yet proved to be the occasion when he had preached the Gospel to the Galatians. That confirms that it was an aggravating thorn, not something that robbed him of all ability and strength. In fact, it became a vehicle through which extraordinary strength was given to Him (2 Cor 12:9).
This willingness on the part of the Galatians was prompted by the “blessedness” associated with their reception of the Gospel that Paul had preached. Now, however their attitude toward the Gospel had changed, and thus they were viewing Paul differently as well. Paul is now showing them how utterly unreasonable all of this was.
HAS TELLING THE TRUTH MADE ME YOUR ENEMY?
4:16 “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”
Paul will now reason on their condition. When once the Gospel is held in disdain, all who declare it are also so viewed. Men may make valiant efforts to gloss this truth, but it cannot be successfully repudiated. Just as men cannot refuse what Jesus said without refusing Him, so the Gospel that is preached by His servants cannot be rejected without rejecting the ones who declared it as well. There are no exceptions to this rule. That is why Paul can speak as he does.
AM I NOW YOUR ENEMY? Other versions read, “am I no longer your friend,” BBE “did I become hostile to you.” LITV All of the other versions use the word “enemy.”
The word “enemy” is an especially strong word. It is translated from a word that means, “a hater . . . hated, odious . . . hostile . . . Hating and opposing another,” THAYER “adversary . . . regarded as an enemy,” FRIBERG and “pertaining to being at enmity with someone - 'being an enemy, in opposition to.” LOUW-NIDA In the English language “enemy” means, “antagonistic to another, one seeking to injure overthrow, or confound an opponent.” MERRIAM-WEBSTER The strength of the word is unquestionable. Paul is challenging the Galatians to consider whether they regard him as friend or foe, helpful or hurtful, advantageous or hostile, one with which to unite or against which to fight. Just how do they regard him? It will do them no good to say they love him or receive him as a friend if they reject the Gospel that he preached. That is simply nonsense.
Satan is called “the enemy” (Matt 13:39). Jesus said a man’s “foes” would be “they of his own house” (Matt 10:34-36). Paul told Elymas that he was the “enemy of all righteousness” (Acts 13:10). He described those who preached another gospel as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil 3:18). It is true that we are to love our enemies, willing to do them good when they are needy (Matt 5:44). But that does not change the fact that they are our enemies. The enmity is not our choice, but theirs. We prefer to do them good, but they prefer to do us evil.
Enmity is also associated with hatred – not holy or “perfect hatred” (Psa 139:22), but hatred that is filled with disdain and a rejection of those who are “of God.” Enemies are frequently described as those who hate the righteous (Psa 18:40; 21:8; 25:19; 44:10; 55:3; Matt 5:44; Lk 1:71; 6:27).
What a tragedy it is when those who were once united in the faith become hostile to one another! You may recall that there were some in Corinth who had moved those converted by Paul to disdain him. Paul responded in a manner that is startling to some. He spoke of coming to the Corinthians “with a rod,” as opposed to “in love, and in the spirit of meekness” (1 Cor 4:21). He said he would come and find out whether his opponents were all talk, or if they had “the power” (1 Cor 4:19-20). If they preferred to fight, he said he would come with spiritual weaponry to overthrow their vain imaginations (2 Cor 10:3-8). This is the kind of spirit Paul is manifesting toward the Galatians. He is casting down the imaginations that had been perpetrated among them, confirming the true nature of salvation, and throwing down all notions that men can possibly be justified by works. This, however, is not Paul’s preference. He had rather speak to them as friends, comfort them, and build them up in the most holy faith. But he will not ignore their condition as though it really did not exist.
BECAUSE I TELL YOU THE TRUTH. Other versions read, “by telling you the truth,” NIV “because I give you true words,” BBE “preaching to you the truth,” MRD and “by telling the truth to you and dealing sincerely with you?” AMPLIFIED
This is “the truth” that makes free (John 8:32,36). Jesus described Himself to an unbelieving generation as “a Man that hath told you the truth” (John 8:40). It is “the Truth” that is embodied in Jesus Himself (John 14:6). It is the truth that is obeyed (Rom 2:8; Gal 3:1; 5:7). It is referred to as “the truth of God,” or the truth that comes from Him (Rom 15:8). It is “the truth of Christ” (2 Cor 11:10). It is not the truth about marriage and the home, the truth about government, or the truth about social issues. It is rather “the truth of the Gospel” (Gal 2:5,14; Col 1:5). It is “the truth” as it “is in Jesus” (Eph 4:21). This “truth” is the means through which salvation is accomplished (2 Thess 2:13). It is truth that is spoken “in Christ” (1 Tim 2:7). This is the “truth” of which the church is “the pillar and ground” (1 Tim 3:15).
This is a word that relates to God and Christ, and what has been accomplished for the salvation of men. It is associated with appropriating and maintaining that salvation, even if it requires the abandonment of all competing interests. When Paul preached and wrote to the Galatians, he did not reference the things multitudes are hearing today in the name of relevancy. It is precisely for that reason that his message is largely ignored by the church of our time. It is why the writings of Paul are neglected and easily forgotten. It is why they are not understood, and therefore not spoken or embraced. If this assessment is true, then Paul has also become the enemy of a myriad of people of this generation – and it is because of the Gospel message that is prevalent in all of his writings. It is why some men prefer Law to grace, and routine to revelation. Paul has become the enemy of a countless generation because he has told the truth!
PROPER AND IMPROPER ZEAL
4:17 "They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.”
Admittedly, this is lofty reasoning that sails over the heads of those who love simplicity. However, it is rationality that must be comprehended. Men must not be content to remain ignorant of what Paul is saying. It has to do with being saved, justified, and accepted by God.
THEY ZEALOUSLY AFFECT YOU. Other versions read, “they zealously court you,” NKJV “they eagerly seek you out,” NASB “are zealous to win you over,” NIV “make much of you,” NRSV and “These men [the Judaizing teachers] are zealously trying to dazzle you [paying court to you, making much of you].” AMPLIFIED
The idea here is that of eagerness to win people over to a particular way of thinking. The people described as “they” were not interested in the Galatians themselves, but in adding them to their own disciples. They had the same spirit that animated the scribes and Pharisees of whom Jesus said, “ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matt 23:15). Such men are NOT “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20), but of an institution and a corrupt way of thinking. They are NOT “laborers together with God” (1 Cor 3:9), nor were they “sent” by Him (Rom 10:15).
BUT NOT WELL. They zealously and eagerly sought to enlist the Galatians in their cause, but it was “not well.” That is, “for no good,” NKJV “not commendably,” NASB and “for no good purpose.” NRSV He was saying “their motives are not good.” CJB The Galatians were not made better by their message – in fact, they lost something. Their faith was not increased, their joy was not made greater, and their hope was not enhanced. They did not become stronger, more like Christ, or more adapted for glory. They were not enabled to better resist the devil, mortify the deeds of the body, or perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. They had adopted a religion that left them as they were before they had believed: without God and without hope in the world!
THEY WOULD EXCLUDE YOU. Other versions read, “they want to exclude you,” NKJV “shut you out,” NASB “alienate you from us,” NIV “separate you from us,” CJB “they don’t want you to associate with me,” GWN “isolate you,” NAB and “isolate you [from us who oppose them].” AMPLIFIED
The idea is that these Judaizing teachers wanted to break the connection between the Galatians and Paul because they knew he preached a different message that did not allow for theirs. There are still men of this caliber, who cast out our name as evil, misrepresent us, and warn others that it is not best to associate with us. And why do they do such things? It is because they are seeking to gain the people for themselves, and that this will not be possible if the people believe the message we bring. This grievous circumstance continues to this very day.
WHEN ZEAL IS GOOD. “It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.” Other versions read, “to be eagerly sought in a good manner,” NASB “provided the purpose is good,” NIV “made much of,” NRSV “have an interest in a good cause,” BBE “be enthusiastic about good,” CSB “ nice to you with good motives and sincere hearts,” LIVING “to be courted in an honorable way,” WEYMOUTH “have special attention paid you, if it is done sincerely and unceasingly,” WILLIAMS and “to be zealously sought after [as you are, provided that it is] for a good purpose and done by reason of purity of heart and life.” AMPLIFIED
It is not zeal itself that Paul is speaking against, but a misplaced and dishonorable zeal. It is never right to be zealous to impact people if they are not the better for it. If men seek to influence others for the sake of fame, or for an institution or some religious movement, this is always bad, and never good. It is the betterment of the individual in Christ that is the only valid aim, not the promotion of some merely human purpose. When, however, men are actually seeking to open men’s eyes, turn them from the power of Satan to God, and from darkness to light, it is always good. When the desire is for the people to be forgiven, and to receive an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith, it is always good, and never bad. When such an attitude is rare in the Christian world, a great falling away has taken place, and the days are evil.
NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU. Other versions read, “always and not just when I am with you.” NIV Hirelings forget about the sheep when they leave, but godly ministers do not forget about those who have received their word. Now Paul is not with them, and yet he still cares for them. He cannot presently come to them, so he writes to them, and sees to it that his letter gets to them. And why is he so zealous in this effort – an effort that also involved churches in Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, Colossae, and Thessalonica? It was because he sought their eternal good. He was a “helper” of their joy, and did not seek dominion over their faith (2 Cor 1:24). He found himself hopeful when the faith of the people among whom he labored was “increased” (2 Cor 10:15). He joyed when he saw “the steadfastness” of their “faith in Christ,” although he was not with them (Col 2:5). When he was absent from them he still gave thanks for their “work of faith,” “labor of love,” and
“patience of hope” (1 Thess 1:2-3).