Have you ever wondered how a pastor might think? How do they react when facing with the uphill task of encouraging the faith of a joyless Christian? What would you say to a joyless Christian? We might not be pastors, but we know from 1 Timothy 3:1 that “he who desires to the office of overseer desires a noble task”, so for many of us, maybe we're not pastors now but that could change in the future. Maybe we should desire it more too! But nonetheless, we can learn many thing from this passage on how to encourage another brother or sister in Christ, and even our pastors!
(A) Fears of Labouring in Vain: Do not Return to the Elementary Principles of the World (Gal 4:8-11)
Paul sets up a contrast in Gal 4:8-9. "Formerly" they "did not know God" and "were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods". They were trapped, bound and imprisoned to a system or idols that were not Gods (c.f. Eph 2:11-12, 1 Cor 8:4). Paul's logic is simple: there is only one God, therefore, if you do not know Him, you are bound and enslaved to the other gods. Living apart from God is not freedom, but it is actually slavery. We see this theme repeating itself throughout our passage today.
Paul goes on in Gal 4:9 with “but now”, signifying a contrast. The Galatians have come to "know God, or rather to be known by God". This is different from the ones that are not gods, this is God. You might think it is weird that Paul mentions to be known by God. But this is no surprise as it shows us a picture of a relationship. Christians are not called to know God, find out all about him and that’s it. The Bible tells us that we are known by God as well. Do you believe that? That this one and only true God cares for you, he knows you. If you are a Christian today, this is true for you; you know God, and God in turn knows you. What did we do to deserve having God know us?
Paul writes with great passion here. He is arguing that the Galatians now were not the same as they were previously, therefore, "how can [they] turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world" (Gal 4:9b). We saw this phrase "elementary principles of the world" earlier on in Gal 4:3, which referred to the fundamental beliefs that they lived by. These basic ways of living in the world could be the way one finds worth, verification, fulfillment. Since the Galatians were gentiles, this is probably their pagan beliefs, where they worshipped other gods. Paul here charges that they have turned back again to these weak, unstable, feeble fragile and basically worthless ideas and beliefs. In Gal 4:10, we know what he means specifically, when he charges that they observe the ceremonial laws of the Jews detailed about in Leviticus. Paul calls them out for following these laws for justification.
The Galatians were charged with idolatry in Gal 4:8 (“not knowing God”) and following the law (Gal 4:10). Both pagan idolatry and keeping the law for salvation is one and the same thing, basically elementary principles of the world. Both are false gospels, weak and worthless elementary principles of the world. These are 2 ends of a spectrum that we could all fall prey to. Before you were a Christian, you could be hoping in something else that brings you fulfillment. It could be your work, your studies, your popularity with people, your family, your friends, etc. After having known God and being known by him, by placing your faith in Christ, you also can be turning to the elementary principles of the world by finding your justification by being righteous, by going to Bible studies, to church, by praying every day, by singing songs of worship, by trying to be a “good person”, by measuring your standing with God based on what you have done, etc. Both idolatry and self-righteousness are elementary principles that lead to destruction.
These verses are also lovely because can't you sense Paul’s concern here? If this were true, Paul says that he has laboured in vain (Gal 4:11). Paul loves the Galatians so much, that he is so torn and feels so violently when they see them turn away from the gospel, and back to the weak and worthless principles of the world. Can you imagine how our pastors feel today? When they see people falling asleep during a sermon, when they see no interest from members to serve in ministries that are short-handed, etc. it is easy to understand how pastors can feel like they are labouring in vain. As a church member, let's also take a practical step to care more for our pastors and leaders, and encourage them by showing them that there is fruit in their labour! If you are a leader today, do you feel like your labour is in vain too? Take heart that it is not an uncommon feeling, even Paul as an apostle felt it.
(B) Anguish of Childbirth: Remember the Blessedness at the Beginning (Gal 4:12-20)
Paul continues his letter by entreating them to become as he is, free of the law, free of needing to keep the law for salvation (Gal 4:12). What he means here is that he has become like them, like a gentile who does not follow the law, and he is calling them to this freedom.
He continues to persuade them by encouraging them to remember the circumstances that led to him preaching the gospel to them (Gal 4:13-15). He was brought to them because of a bodily ailment (Gal 4:13). It was possibly regarding the eyes since he even mentions that the Galatians would have been willing to gouge out their eyes to give to him (Gal 4:15). Paul did not intend to, but because of his condition, he ended up preaching to them. Paul encourages them to remember the way they have received the gospel when he first preached to them (Gal 4:14). They received him despite his unattractiveness, despite being a trial to them! They "did not scorn or despise" him and received him "as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus" (Gal 4:14). He reminds them of their joy, of their happiness at that time when they heard the gospel preached. Paul pointed them to their own experience of joy at hearing the gospel, and the love that they showed him. Their faith was real, and they had a relationship with Paul!
What can we learn from here? These verses encourage us to do our own self-reflection too for our encouragement! If you are a Christian, do you recall the moment you beileved? If not, do you remember times of joy in God above all things, where you were ready to forsake all things for God’s cause, for his kingdom instead of yours? Do you remember what peace you felt when you knew that God was with you despite your failures? Do you remember the comfort and security you felt when you knew that God loves you and knows you, and will hold you fast? Do you recall a time where God answered your prayers? Do you recall a time that prayers came naturally, where bible reading was a joy? All of this, we can use to fire our lethargic faith. Paul is calling the Galatians to remember it and that is what we should ask ourselves too!
Paul recounts his initial encounter with the Galatians to explain his frustration with them now (Gal 4:16-20). They shared a relationship with him, yet, he appeared to "become [their] enemy by telling [them] the truth" (Gal 4:16). He argues that this truth-telling is not done out of anything else but love. He points out that the false teachers make much of the Galatians to “shut you out” possibly from their inability to keep the law. These false teachers were seeking their own good, establishing these standards so that the Galatians themselves can look up to them, who keep the law well (Gal 4:17). The false teachers turn the law, and obedience to the law into a matter of superiority and the establishment of an exclusive club of sorts, so that they may be lauded by the Galatians.
Paul’s tone comes out clearly in Gal 4:19-20. Paul is clearly frustrated, perplexed and disappointed with the Galatians. He describes that his pain is that of a woman in labour ("anguish of childbirth") (Gal 4:19). This is how Paul feels when his sheep is not growing in Christ-likeness, growing in their faith in him. What does he want? His desire is for “Christ to be formed in them” (Gal 4:19b). In fact, he wishes to speak to them face to face to explain all this in person (Gal 4:20). Have you ever felt like this before, being so perplexed, frustrated, disappointed with someone and wanting so desperately to speak to them face to face to explain truths in person? Whatever the context, you'll probably only feel this way with someone very important to you, someone that you care deeply about. This is how Paul feels about the Galatian church. He loves them. In fact, he loves them enough to tell them the truth. Paul’s concern for his sheep is obvious. If you are in any way leading someone in their walk with God, how can you learn from Paul’s example here? Does this describe your heart in ministry?
(C) Pointing to God’s Word: Embrace Freedom through God’s Promise (Gal 4:21-31)
Lovingly, Paul uses the Old Testament to explain his point further. Paul uses in his allegory Hagar and Sarah (Gal 4:21-28). The exact account of the interactions between Sarah and Hagar can be found in Gen 16-17 and Gen 21, but here the events point to something beyond their literal meaning. The table below summarises the contrasts between these 2 women, and what they represented:
| Woman | Slave Woman (Gal 4:22) | Free Woman (Gal 4:22) |
|---|---|---|
| Son | Ishmael | Isaac |
| Birth | Represents those born according to flesh (Gal 4:23a), according to sinful human desires and plans. Recall that Ishmael was born when Abraham and Sarah were plotting how they can have a heir and basically said, “Let’s help God along”.This is the same as the false teachers teaching justification by the law, gaining justification by human effort or obedience. Thus, Hagar is a symbol of human effort | One born through promise, according to the Spirit (Gal 4:23b). Isaac was born according to God’s promise to Abraham and had nothing to do with what Abraham or Sarah had planned but God was at work. The idea of a 100 year old man having a son was laughable! This is the same as those born of the Spirit, who God works in, to place their faith in him. We have no plan and did no work, but it is all of God! The Spirit works in human hearts to convince them that they need a Savior, and Jesus is this Savior. |
| Name of Woman | Hagar | Sarah |
| Status | Slavery (Gal 4:25) | Freedom (Gal 4:26) |
| Timeframe | Present Jerusalem (Gal 4:25) which represents the centre of Judaism, and the law (where the law-keeping people congregate now) | Jerusalem above (Gal 4:27), the new Jerusalem where all who placed their faith in Christ is gathered (all those born of the Spirit!) |
| Present Day Action | Persecuting, just as Hagar looked upon Sarah with contempt (Gen 16:4) or that Ishmael laughing at Isaac (Gen 21:9), the false teachers are persecuting the church in Galatia (Galatians 6:17, 4:16) | Persecuted |
Do you see how Paul is loving because these people are trying hard to follow the law, but Paul is using this same law to explain it to them again? Once again, the desperation in his voice can be heard in verse 21. He uses the exact thing that they want to keep to explain to them how they don’t need to be under the law anymore! Paul explains the gospel clearly to them using the OT.
Paul goes on to call the Galatians "children of promise" (Gal 4:28), affirming them of their faith. He reminds them of who they are — people born of the Spirit, not of the flesh, and assures them of God’s promises. They are to cast out the slave woman and her son. They are to cast out the false teachers who are Hagar’s children. These are
strong and harsh words, for they are not to tolerate them and even sent them out and separate them from the community. They should not have them teach the church. This is a great model for you if you are a leader! Point people to God’s word, toil and struggle when they deviate from the gospel. If you feel exactly like Paul today as a Christian leader, leading a small group, sharing the gospel with non-Christians, but fearing that everything is in vain as you see no fruit in your ministry, it can pain you deeply, making you feeling bitter. Well, what can you do? You point people back to God’s word as Paul has done so, you show them God’s promises. You show them who they are, children of the promise.
If you are a joyless Christian like me, what is Paul teaching us? We remind ourselves of the promised One of the OT law, Jesus Christ. When we call ourselves, children of promise, we are associating ourselves with Christ Jesus, the promised one, the one who fulfills all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). We are born according to the Spirit when God gives us the faith to trust in Christ wholly for Salvation. And so Paul calls the Galatians to embrace this freedom from the law in Christ. How can you embrace freedom today?