- He reviews them: (4:12-18): Paul appealed to the Galatians, “become like me, for I became like you . In other words you become free from the Law as I am, for after my conversion I became like the Gentiles, no longer living under the Law. The problem with the Galatians was they were putting themselves under the Law after their conversions. He reviews them and goes back his visit with Galatians. He was received by the Galatians on his first visit with great joy ( Acts 13-14). At that time he had an illness. He remained with them until he had preached the gospel to them. In spite of his infirmity, the Galatians did not treat Paul with contempt or scorn as a weak messenger but rather received him as one would receive an angel or even Christ Jesus Himself. Their appreciation knew no limits; they would even have made the sacrifice of their eyes for Paul. While some think this is an indication that Paul had a disease of the eyes as he says “thorn” in his “flesh,” (2 Cor.12:7), which is just speculative. They would have given him their most precious possession. But all that had changed. They no longer contemplated his presence among them with joy. Rather, they now acted as though he had become their enemy, for the simple reason that he had been telling them the truth. How fickle were these Galatians! They were turning against the Lord, the gospel of grace, and the messenger who brought them the news of justification by faith. Paul further says, the false teachers or Judaizers who were after the Galatian believers are wrong although they may be zealous, but they are totally wrong and leading the believers in the wrong direction. Now-a-days there are many big teachers and zealous people doing the rounds associated with cults and wrong teaching. That’s why every believer must be careful and watchful and take their word reflecting with the Word of God.
- His labour pains for more believers: (4:19-20): Paul felt like a mother in travail. It was not for the new birth of his friends because they were already God’s children. He wanted them to grow fully in the Lord and be mature Christians (Eph 4:13; cf. Phil 3:10). He was longing for another visit which would accomplish what he wanted. Then he could speak softly to them, as a mother to an erring Then he can speak to them softly and avoid harshness.
An OT illustration in reference to NT: (4:21-31)
| The Old Covenant LAW | The New Covenant GRACE |
| The Law symbolized by Hagar the slave-girl. It stands as Mount Sinai | Grace symbolized by Sarah, the free woman. |
| Ishmael, a son born after the flesh | Isaac, a son born miraculously by God’s promise. |
| Ishmael was born of natural birth. | Isaac was born with supernatural birth which symbolizes believers’ supernatural born-again experience |
| The Law symbolized Jerusalem in Paul’s day, still in spiritual and political bondage | Grace represents the heavenly Jerusalem which is free and glorious. |
| Ishmael symbolized the Law which brought bondage and sorrow | Isaac symbolized God’s grace which has brought freedom. |
| Hagar and Ishmael were sent out. The Law was taken over by Grace. | Isaac was kept who gave them the joy and pride. |