The Epistle to the Galatians Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel 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 1 st 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.’ Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1

The Epistle to the Galatians Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel 2 –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?’ Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1

The Epistle to the Galatians Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel 3 This sentiment occurred after Paul’s 2 nd visit to Galatia. –Events of 1 st visit written in ~50 A.D. - Gal 2:1 –Events of 2 nd 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 Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1

The Epistle to the Galatians Aug 1, 2010 Bob Eckel 4 –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 Law is Blessing Lost: Galatians 4:15-20, Part 1