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Galatians 4:14
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12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. aYou have not injured me at all.  
13 You know that abecause of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.  
14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me aas an angel of God, beven as Christ Jesus.  
15 1What 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.  
16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17 They azealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.  
18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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<< Galatians 4:13   Galatians 4:15 >>

What Does Galatians 4:14 Mean?



Galatians 4:14

Paul calls to their mind their first encounter with him, when his physical infirmity could have been a social stumbling block for them, but they received him warmly and without hesitation. He is drawing a contrast between their first meeting and their current rejection of his teaching.

Paul says that they received him "as an angel [messenger] of God." In the beginning of the epistle, part of his stern warning was against any other doctrines from what he had originally taught them, which included a warning against the teachers of such doctrines (Galatians 1:8). Since the Galatians "received [him] as an angel," they may have likewise received a false teacher as a messenger from God and bestowed upon him the same warmth and acceptance.

David C. Grabbe

Related Topics: False Teachers | False Teaching | Galatians | Galatians turning to False Teachers | Galatians' Rejection of Paul | Paul's Physical Infirmity | Paul's Reception by Galatians | Received as an Angel of God




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Galatians 4:14:

Galatians 4:15


 
<< Galatians 4:13   Galatians 4:15 >>

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