An Appeal from a Wounded Heart: Paul’s Plea to the Galatians
Main Idea of Galatians:
To defend the gospel of grace as the sole basis for justification and Christian living, to assert the believer’s freedom from legalism through faith in Christ, and to call believers back to the truth of the gospel.
Questions to Consider:
What does Paul mean when he urges the Galatians, “Become as I am, for I also have become as you are” (v. 12)?
How did the Galatians initially treat Paul when he first preached to them despite his “bodily ailment” (vv. 13-14)? What does this suggest about their early relationship?
Paul speaks of their past “blessedness” or joy (v. 15). What change has occurred that makes him ask if he has become their enemy by telling them the truth (v. 16)?
According to Paul, what are the true motives of those (the Judaizers) who are showing such zealous interest in the Galatians (v. 17)?
How does Paul describe his own intense emotional and spiritual labor for the Galatians in verse 19? What is his ultimate aim for them?
Why does Paul express a wish to be present with them and possibly change his tone (v. 20)? What does this reveal about his state of mind concerning them?
The Text:
“I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.
Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth? They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. But it is always good to be pursued in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.“
– Galatians 4:12-20 (CSB)
Observations:
Verse 12: Paul makes a personal appeal (“I beg you”) for the Galatians to become like him, stating he has become like them. He also affirms, “You have done me no wrong.”
Verses 13-14: He reminds them that his initial preaching of the gospel to them was due to a “bodily ailment.” Despite this “trial,” they did not despise or reject him but received him exceptionally well, “as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.”
Verse 15: Paul questions what happened to their former “blessedness” (or joy/positive state). He testifies to their previous deep affection, saying they would have given him their own eyes if possible.
Verse 16: He asks a poignant question: “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
Verse 17: Paul describes “they” (referring to the Judaizers) as being zealous for the Galatians, but “not in a good way.” Their actual intent is to “isolate” the Galatians so that the Galatians will then be zealous for them (the Judaizers).
Verse 18: He affirms that it is good to be zealous, provided it’s “in a good thing always,” and not dependent on his physical presence.
Verse 19: Paul uses a powerful metaphor, describing his anguish for them as being “again in the pains of childbirth.” He refers to them as “my children” and states this spiritual labor will continue “until Christ is formed in you.”
Verse 20: He expresses a desire to be physically present with them and to be able to change his tone, admitting, “I am perplexed about you.”
Interpretation:
Paul’s Heartfelt Appeal and Reminder of Past Affection (vv. 12-15): Paul shifts from theological argument to a deeply personal appeal. “Become as I am, because I also have become as you are” (v. 12) is a plea for mutual identification in the freedom of the gospel. Paul, a Jew, had laid aside Jewish distinctives to identify with Gentiles like them, embracing freedom from the law. Now he urges them, who are being tempted by Judaizing legalism, to become like him in that same freedom. His statement “You have done me no wrong” is likely a rhetorical way to soften his subsequent rebuke, assuring them his current concern isn’t based on personal offense but on their spiritual well-being.
He then vividly recalls their initial encounter (vv. 13-15). He preached to them “because of a bodily ailment.” While the exact nature of this ailment is unknown and much debated (as Moo (BECNT) and Schreiner (ZECNT) discuss, possibilities range from eye trouble to malaria), it was clearly a “trial” to them. Yet, they received him with extraordinary honor – “as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.” Their past “blessedness” (or perhaps “expressions of joy”) and willingness to make extreme sacrifices for him (“torn out your eyes”) stand in stark contrast to their current coldness.
The Painful Rupture: Truth-Telling and Alienation (v. 16): The warmth of the past makes the present chill all the more painful. Paul asks, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (v. 16). This question highlights the tragic irony that his faithfulness in proclaiming the true gospel—the very message that once endeared him to them—is now the cause of their alienation. As often noted by commentators like Carson (NIVBTSB), speaking necessary truth, especially corrective truth, can sadly lead to being perceived as hostile by those who are straying.
The Deceptive Zeal of False Teachers (vv. 17-18): Paul contrasts his own motives with those of the Judaizers. “They are zealous for you, but not in a good way” (v. 17). These false teachers appear fervent and enthusiastic in courting the Galatians, but their zeal is self-serving. Their goal is “to isolate you” (likely from Paul and the true gospel) “so that you will be zealous for them”—that is, to make the Galatians their own loyal disciples. Merida & Platt (CCE) might emphasize that such manipulative tactics are common among those who peddle a false or distorted gospel, seeking personal influence rather than the flock’s true spiritual health. Paul affirms that zeal in itself is “good” if directed “in a good thing always” (v. 18), implying that genuine zeal should be for Christ and the truth of the gospel, consistently, not just for a particular teacher or when under supervision.
Apostolic Travail: The Goal of Christ Formed in Believers (v. 19): Paul’s depth of care is powerfully conveyed through the metaphor of childbirth: “My children, I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (v. 19). He sees himself as their spiritual parent, and just as he labored for their initial conversion (their first “birth”), he now endures further agonizing spiritual “labor pains” to see them restored to spiritual health and maturity in Christ. The goal is not mere adherence to rules, but the profound, internal transformation where the character and life of “Christ is formed in you.” Schreiner (ZECNT; Christ Crucified) would strongly connect this to the believer’s progressive sanctification and conformity to the image of Christ, which is the essence of true Christian growth rooted in the gospel.
Paul’s Perplexity and Longing (v. 20): The intensity of Paul’s concern leads him to wish he could be with them in person, hoping a face-to-face interaction might allow him to “change my tone” (v. 20). This doesn’t necessarily mean he would soften the truth, but perhaps adapt his approach to better reach their hearts. His admission, “I am perplexed about you,” reveals his genuine bewilderment and sorrow at their spiritual regression. As White (GTI) might suggest, this vulnerability underscores the authentic pastoral heart of Paul, who is deeply invested in his spiritual children.
Application:
Imitate Godly Models of Freedom: Look to mature believers who live in the joy and freedom of the gospel, and strive to emulate their faith, not those who would bring you under legalistic bondage.
Receive God’s Messengers Well: When someone faithfully brings you God’s Word, even if they are imperfect or ministering in difficult circumstances, receive the message with an open heart.
Speak Truth, Even When Costly: If you are in a position to guide others, be courageous in speaking the truth in love, even if it risks misunderstanding or temporary alienation.
Discern Motivations in Ministry: Be wise to the motivations of spiritual leaders or influencers. Are they pointing you to Christ and His community, or are they seeking to build their own following and isolate you?
Embrace Spiritual Formation: Make it your deep desire and prayer that Christ would be fully formed in your life—that His character, attitudes, and priorities would increasingly become your own.
Value Pastoral Anguish: Understand that genuine spiritual shepherds often carry a heavy burden and deep love for the people they serve. Pray for them and be responsive to their godly counsel.
Connection to the Main Idea:
Paul’s intensely personal and emotional appeal in Galatians 4:12-20 serves as a powerful pastoral strategy to win back the Galatians from the legalistic teachings threatening to undermine the gospel of grace. His reminder of their past loving relationship, his exposure of the false teachers’ motives, and his agonizing desire for “Christ to be formed in them” all directly support his central aim: to defend justification by faith alone and call the believers back to the true freedom found only in Christ.
How Does This Text Point to Christ?
This passage is profoundly Christ-centered. Paul’s ultimate goal and the measure of true spiritual maturity is that “Christ is formed in you” (v. 19). The Galatians had initially received Paul “as Christ Jesus himself” (v. 14), indicating their early, positive response was tied to the Christ he proclaimed. The entire crisis in Galatia stems from their being drawn away from this Christ-centered gospel of grace toward a system that diminishes Christ’s sufficiency. Paul’s labor and suffering are for the sake of Christ being magnified in their lives.
Summary:
In Galatians 4:12-20, Paul makes a passionate and personal appeal to the straying Galatian believers. He reminds them of their incredibly warm and sacrificial reception of him during his initial ministry among them, despite his physical ailment. He contrasts this with their current coolness, questioning if his commitment to telling them the truth has made him their enemy. Paul warns them against the self-serving zeal of the false teachers who seek to isolate them for their own gain. He expresses his profound pastoral anguish, likening it to the pains of childbirth, as he longs for Christ to be fully formed in them, signifying their true spiritual restoration and maturity in the gospel.
Be Intentional:
Consider how you receive constructive criticism or spiritual correction from those who care about your walk with God. Is your first response defensiveness, or do you prayerfully consider if there is truth in their words?
Actively pray and work towards having Christ’s character—His love, humility, obedience, and grace—more fully formed in your life and in the lives of those in your Christian community.
Ask Yourself:
In what relationships have I allowed differences over truth to create distance? How can I approach these with both conviction and grace?
Whose “zeal” am I currently most influenced by? Does this zeal genuinely promote Christ and build up His body, or does it subtly serve other agendas?
How can I better express appreciation and support for those who invest spiritually in my life and the lives of others, recognizing the “labor pains” often involved in true ministry?
Bibliography:
Carson, D. A. (General Editor). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIVBTSB). Zondervan.
Merida, Tony & Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Galatians (CCE) (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary).
Moo, Douglas J. Galatians (BECNT) (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians (ZECNT) (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians.
White, A. Blake. Galatians: A Theological Interpretation (GTI).
