Paul in Pain

"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,  I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you." (Galatians 4:19,20 - New King James Version)

Up until this passage, Paul has been distant with the Galatians. However, in this passage, his feelings for them begin to show through. They were his spiritual children. It was through his ministry that they were born again.

But now he was having birth pains for them again. He was in terrible torment because of what he had heard was happening among them. The desire of the Judiazers was to receive praise. Paul’s desire was that Christ would be formed in them.

For Christ to be formed in us means that Christ lives through us. It means that we are like Christ.

Paul concludes this section by saying that he wished to see the Galatians in person. He also wished that he could adopt a friendlier tone. He wished that he did not have doubts about their spiritual condition and future.

Truth Hurts

"Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you." (Galatians 4:16-18, NIV)

Paul was telling them the truth. He was afraid that they would consider him their enemy because of this. This is a common human failing. We often think badly of those who tell us the truth when we do not want to hear it. It is too easy to become defensive when someone criticizes us even if the criticism is valid.

The Judiazers were zealous in seeking the favor of the Galatians. But it was not for a good purpose. They wanted to shut them out (that is what exclude or alienate means) from the freedom of Christ and the true way of salvation. They wanted to bar the doors of the abundant Christian life and prevent the Galatians from entering.

Their goal was not to help the Galatians but to build up a following. They did not care if they were zealous for God or for truth. They wanted the Galatians to be zealous for them. Beware of the person who is seeking to build a reputation. Beware of the person who loves the praise of man.

Paul wishes that these believers were zealous for good even when he was not with them. It would be great if we were zealous for good always regardless of in whose presence we are.