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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Galatians 4:12–16. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
That these Christians might be the more ashamed of their defection from the truth of the gospel which Paul had preached to them, he here reminds them of the great affection they formerly had for him and his ministry, and puts them upon considering how very unsuitable their present behaviour was to what they then professed. And here we may observe,
I.How affectionately he addresses himself to them.
He styles them brethren, though he knew their hearts were in a great measure alienated from him. He desires that all resentments might be laid aside, and that they would bear the same temper of mind towards him which he did to them; he would have them to be as he was, for he was as they were, and moreover tells them that they had not injured him at all. He had no quarrel with them upon his own account. Though, in blaming their conduct, he had expressed himself with some warmth and concern of mind he assured them that it was not owing to any sense of personal injury or affront (as they might be ready to think), but proceeded wholly from a zeal for the truth and purity of the gospel, and their welfare and happiness. Thus he endeavours to mollify their spirits towards him, that so they might be the better disposed to receive the admonitions he was giving them. Hereby he teaches us that in reproving others we should take care to convince them that our reproofs do not proceed from any private pique or resentment, but from a sincere regard to the honour of God and religion and their truest welfare; for they are then likely to be most successful when they appear to be most disinterested.
II.How he magnifies their former affection to him, that hereby they might be the more ashamed of their present behaviour towards him. To this purpose,
1.He puts them in mind of the difficulty under which he laboured when he came first among them: I knew, says he, how, through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel unto you at the first. What this infirmity of the flesh was, which in the following words he expresses by his temptation that was in his flesh (though, no doubt, it was well known to those Christians to whom he wrote), we can now have no certain knowledge of: some take it to have been the persecutions which he suffered for the gospel's sake; others, to have been something in his person, or manner of speaking, which might render his ministry less grateful and acceptable, referring to Co2 10:10, and to Co2 12:7-10. But, whatever it was, it seems it made no impression on them to his disadvantage. For,
2.He takes notice that, notwithstanding this his infirmity (which might possibly lessen him in the esteem of some others), they did not despise nor reject him on the account of it, but, on the contrary, received him as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. They showed a great deal of respect to him, he was a welcome messenger to them, even as though an angel of God or Jesus Christ himself had preached to them; yea, so great was their esteem of him, that, if it would have been any advantage to him, they could have plucked out their own eyes, and have given them to him. Note, How uncertain the respects of people are, how apt they are to change their minds, and how easily they are drawn into contempt of those for whom they once had the greatest esteem and affection, so that they are ready to pluck out the eyes of those for whom they would before have plucked out their own! We should therefore labour to be accepted of God, for it is a small thing to be judged of man's judgment, Co1 4:3.
III.How earnestly he expostulates with them hereupon:
Where is then, says he, the blessedness you spoke of? As if he had said, "Time was when you expressed the greatest joy and satisfaction in the glad tidings of the gospel, and were very forward in pouring out your blessings upon me as the publisher of them; whence is it that you are now so much altered, that you have so little relish of them or respect for me? You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now any reason to think otherwise?" Note, Those who have left their first love would do well to consider, Where is now the blessedness they once spoke of? What has become of that pleasure they used to take in communion with God, and in the company of his servants? The more to impress upon them a just shame of their present conduct, he again asks (Gal 4:16), "Am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? How is it that I, who was heretofore your favourite, am now accounted your enemy? Can you pretend any other reason for it than that I have told you the truth, endeavoured to acquaint you with, and to confirm you in, the truth of the gospel? And, if not, how unreasonable must your disaffection be!" Note,
1.It is no uncommon thing for men to account those their enemies who are really their best friends; for so, undoubtedly, those are, whether ministers or others, who tell them the truth, and deal freely and faithfully with them in matters relating to their eternal salvation, as the apostle now did with these Christians.
2.Ministers may sometimes create enemies to themselves by the faithful discharge of their duty; for this was the case of Paul, he was accounted their enemy for telling them the truth.
3.Yet ministers must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others and drawing their displeasure upon them.
4.They may be easy in their own minds, when they are conscious to themselves that, if others have become their enemies, it is only for telling them the truth.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
The weakness in my body was no obstacle for you, but you received me as an angel of God, that is, as a messenger, a preacher sent from God (for that is an angel of God); and you received me like Christ Jesus, whom I was preaching to you. And so you truly received Christ Jesus, if you received me as an angel of God, in the same way you received Christ Jesus.
The ailment of the apostle was a temptation to the Galatians. But they were found constant, not doubting as to his faith. For they could have stumbled and said, “What virtue or hope is there in this faith when its minister is so humiliated?” But when he had inspired their minds with future hopes, they did not fear present death for the sake of Christ’s name.… This caused them later to blush, because after these laudable acts they became again entrapped so as to deserve reproach.
Not to have injured one is indeed no great thing, for no man whatever would choose to hurt wantonly and without object to annoy another who had never injured him. But for you, not only have ye not injured me, but ye have shown me great and inexpressible kindness, and it is impossible that one who has been treated with such attention should speak thus from any malevolent motive. My language then cannot be caused by ill-will; it follows, that it proceeds from affection and solicitude. "Ye did me no wrong; ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel unto you." What can be gentler than this holy soul, what sweeter, or more affectionate! And the words he had already used, arose not from an unreasoning anger, nor from a passionate emotion, but from much solicitude. And why do I say, ye have not injured me? Rather have ye evinced a great and sincere regard for me. For "ye know," he says, "that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel unto you; and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected." What does he mean? While I preached to you, I was driven about, I was scourged, I suffered a thousand deaths, yet ye thought no scorn of me; for this is meant by that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected." Observe his spiritual skill; in the midst of his self-vindication, he again appeals to their feelings by showing what he had suffered for their sakes. This however, says he, did not at all offend you, nor did ye reject me on account of my sufferings and persecutions; or, as he now calls them, his infirmity and temptation.
But ye received me as an Angel of God. Was it not then absurd in them to receive him as an Angel of God, when he was persecuted and driven about, and then not to receive him when pressing on them what was fitting?
(Verse 14.) And you did not despise or reject your temptation, which was in my flesh, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. It is a perplexing passage and requires careful attention. Indeed, I have preached to you like little ones and infants through the weakness of your flesh, starting from the least and speaking almost stammeringly. This arrangement and the feigned appearance of a weak proclamation were my doing, but your temptation was whether you would be pleased and consider great those things which, considering their nature, were smaller, and which I presented to you as humble. Indeed, you, who not taking them as small things but as great things, were so amazed that you received me, who was speaking them, as an angel and, if I may say more, as the Son of God. Therefore, your temptation, by which I was testing you in the announcement of my fleshly speech, was not despised or trivial; rather, it had more dignity than I estimated. And this place can be explained in this way: when I came to you, I did not come in the speech of wisdom, but as a humble and despised man, not bringing anything great, but the Crucified. Therefore, when you saw me in a body subject to weaknesses, promising heavenly kingdoms, you did not mock or consider me worthy of contempt. For you understood the lowliness of my flesh and the lowly state of my appearance, which was made for your temptation. Or perhaps you despised me, who was regarded as miserable by the unbelievers; but on the contrary, you received him who was humble, lowly, and despised, as if he were an angel, and more than an angel. Certainly, we can suspect that the Apostle, at the time when he first came to the Galatians, was sick; and though his body was weak, he did not cease, nor did he silence his voice, from preaching the Gospel that he had begun. For it is reported that he often suffered from a severe headache: and this was the angel of Satan, who was assigned to him, to strike him in the flesh, so that he would not be exalted. This weakness and illness of his body was a temptation among those to whom the Gospel was preached: whether they would despise him, who promised sublime things, when they saw him subject to bodily weaknesses. And also it can be said that, at the beginning of his coming to the Galatians, he endured insults, persecutions, and bodily afflictions from those who opposed the Gospel: and this was perhaps the greatest temptation for the Galatians, seeing the Apostle of Christ being beaten. But what he says, that you received me as an angel, as Christ Jesus: and by saying that Christ is greater than the angel, he shows that the one whom the Psalmist sang about as being a little lower than the angels according to the order of the flesh, is now revealed to be greater, and his words in the beginning were so powerful that they were thought to be those of angels and of Christ.
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Summary
Galatians 4:14 captures a poignant moment in Paul's letter, where he reminds the Galatians of their initial, extraordinary reception of him. Despite a significant physical affliction, which he terms "my temptation which was in my flesh," they neither despised nor rejected him. Instead, they welcomed him with profound reverence, treating him as a divine messenger, even as Christ Jesus himself, highlighting their early spiritual fervor and the deep respect they held for his gospel message. This verse serves as a powerful rhetorical appeal, contrasting their past devotion with their current departure from the truth of grace.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Paul's letter to the Galatians is a passionate defense of the gospel of grace against the encroaching legalism promoted by Judaizers. In Galatians 3, Paul rigorously argues for justification by faith alone, using Abraham as a prime example. This theological exposition continues into Galatians 4:1-11, where he emphasizes the Galatians' new status as adopted sons and heirs in Christ, free from the bondage of the Law. Beginning in Galatians 4:12, Paul shifts from theological argument to a deeply personal and emotional appeal, urging the Galatians to return to their original faith. Verse 14 is central to this appeal, recalling their past, fervent hospitality towards him, which stands in stark contrast to their current spiritual backsliding and susceptibility to false teaching, thereby underscoring the depth of Paul's disappointment and concern.
Historical & Cultural Context: Paul's initial visit to Galatia, likely during his first missionary journey (recorded in Acts 13-14), appears to have been prolonged or even occasioned by a physical ailment. This "temptation which was in my flesh" was a significant personal challenge, potentially a chronic illness or a visible infirmity, which could have made him seem weak or contemptible in the eyes of others in the Greco-Roman world. In that culture, physical imperfections were often associated with divine disfavor or a lack of spiritual power. Therefore, the Galatians' decision not to "despise" or "reject" him, but rather to embrace him, was a remarkable act of counter-cultural compassion and spiritual discernment. Their reception of him "as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus" reflects a profound recognition of his divine commission and the authority of the message he brought, demonstrating a level of reverence that transcended mere human respect.
Key Themes:
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers not to enticement to sin, but to "a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity." In this context, it denotes a severe trial, affliction, or physical suffering that Paul endured. It was a condition that could have easily led to him being despised or rejected by others, yet the Galatians did not succumb to such a reaction.
"flesh" here signifies Paul's physical body and its inherent frailties, weaknesses, or perhaps a specific illness. It points to his human nature, which, despite its vulnerabilities, was the vessel through which God's powerful message was delivered. This highlights the paradox of divine power working through human weakness.
This verb, in the middle voice, means "to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--accept, receive, take." It conveys a sense of eager, willing, and warm welcome, indicating that the Galatians did not merely tolerate Paul but embraced him with open arms and hearts, demonstrating genuine hospitality and acceptance that went beyond superficial judgment.
Verse Breakdown
"And my temptation which was in my flesh"
This clause introduces the specific challenge Paul faced during his initial visit to Galatia. The "temptation" (Gk. peirasmós) refers to a physical ailment or weakness ("in my flesh") that was potentially repulsive or a cause for Paul to be viewed with contempt. It highlights Paul's vulnerability and the human limitations he experienced, which could have hindered his ministry.
"ye despised not, nor rejected;"
This phrase emphasizes the Galatians' remarkable and counter-cultural response to Paul's physical condition. Despite the potential for disdain (Gk. exouthenéō, to treat as contemptible) or spurning (Gk. ekptýō, to spit out), they chose not to look down on him or cast him aside. This demonstrates their spiritual maturity and genuine compassion, looking beyond outward appearances to the divine message he carried.
"but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus."
This climactic statement reveals the extraordinary depth of the Galatians' initial welcome. The conjunction "but" (Gk. allá) marks a strong contrast to their potential rejection. To receive Paul "as an angel of God" meant they recognized him as a divine messenger, bearing God's authority. The further comparison "even as Christ Jesus" elevates their reception to the highest possible level, indicating they saw him as embodying the very presence and authority of the Lord Himself, showing profound reverence for his person and message.
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in Galatians 4:14 to underscore his point. The most prominent is Contrast, as he juxtaposes the potential for the Galatians to "despise" or "reject" him due to his physical "temptation" with their actual, remarkably warm reception. This highlights the depth of their initial spiritual discernment and love. A powerful Simile is used in the phrases "as an angel of God" and "even as Christ Jesus." These comparisons are not literal claims of Paul's divinity but are a form of Hyperbole, emphasizing the extraordinary reverence and respect the Galatians initially showed him. They perceived him not merely as a man, but as a divinely appointed messenger, whose words carried the weight of God's own authority. This hyperbole serves to magnify their past devotion, making their current defection from the gospel of grace even more poignant and regrettable in Paul's appeal.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Galatians 4:14 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that God often uses imperfect vessels to deliver His perfect message, and that true spiritual discernment looks beyond outward appearances. The Galatians' reception of Paul, despite his "temptation in the flesh," demonstrates a Christ-like hospitality that embraces vulnerability and sees the divine message through human weakness. This act of welcoming a suffering messenger is presented as akin to welcoming God Himself, revealing a deep understanding of divine identification with His servants. The verse also implicitly critiques a legalistic mindset that might judge based on external perfection or perceived strength, contrasting it with the grace-filled acceptance that values the Spirit's work through any instrument. It underscores the profound impact of genuine love and respect in ministry, laying the groundwork for Paul's plea for the Galatians to return to their foundational faith in Christ's grace.
Reflection and Application
Galatians 4:14 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the depth of our love. It challenges us to cultivate a spirit of genuine hospitality that transcends superficial judgments, embracing those who may appear weak, flawed, or different, recognizing that God often works through unexpected vessels. This passage reminds us that the power of the gospel lies in its divine origin, not in the perfection of its human bearers. We are called to discern and receive God's truth, regardless of the messenger's personal struggles, and to extend grace rather than judgment. Furthermore, it prompts us to reflect on our own spiritual journey: Have we, like the Galatians, drifted from our initial fervent love and acceptance of Christ's simple gospel of grace? Do we still receive His messengers—and indeed, Christ Himself in others—with the same profound reverence and open-hearted welcome we once did? This verse is a poignant call to return to the purity of our first faith, marked by unconditional love, humility, and a steadfast commitment to the liberating truth of the gospel.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was Paul's "temptation which was in my flesh"?
While the exact nature of Paul's "temptation which was in my flesh" is not explicitly stated in Scripture, it refers to a significant physical ailment or weakness that he endured during his time in Galatia. This "temptation" (Greek peirasmós) is best understood as a "trial" or "affliction" rather than an enticement to sin. It was likely a chronic or recurring condition that was outwardly visible or debilitating, potentially making him seem contemptible or weak in the eyes of others. Many scholars connect it to his "thorn in the flesh" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7, which Paul describes as a "messenger of Satan" sent to torment him. Possible suggestions range from a severe eye affliction (given his comments in Galatians 4:15 and Galatians 6:11), malaria, epilepsy, or another chronic illness that made his appearance or presence difficult for some. Regardless of its precise nature, it was a physical vulnerability that the Galatians remarkably overlooked, choosing to embrace him with grace.
Why did the Galatians receive Paul "as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus"?
The Galatians' reception of Paul "as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus" highlights the profound reverence and spiritual discernment they initially possessed. It signifies that they recognized the divine authority and sacredness of the message Paul delivered, perceiving him not merely as a human speaker but as a direct messenger from God, embodying the very presence and truth of Christ. This was an expression of deep respect for his apostolic office and the gospel he proclaimed. In biblical thought, angels often serve as divine messengers (Hebrews 1:14), and to receive one "as Christ Jesus" indicates the highest form of honor and acceptance, implying that they understood that to welcome God's chosen servant was to welcome God Himself (Matthew 10:40). Their response was a testament to the Spirit's work in their hearts, enabling them to look past Paul's physical infirmity and embrace the divine power of his message.
What is the significance of Paul reminding the Galatians of their initial reception of him?
Paul's reminder of their initial, fervent reception of him serves as a powerful rhetorical and pastoral strategy. First, it establishes a stark contrast between their past devotion and their current spiritual drift towards legalism. By recalling their extraordinary hospitality and reverence, Paul highlights how far they have fallen from their original embrace of the gospel of grace. Second, it is an appeal to their conscience and memory, urging them to remember the sincerity and purity of their initial conversion experience, which was marked by a Spirit-led acceptance of Paul despite his weakness. Third, it implicitly underscores Paul's legitimate apostolic authority and the divine origin of the gospel he preached. Their initial reception of him "as Christ Jesus" validated his ministry. By reminding them of this, Paul seeks to re-establish his credibility and challenge their current teachers who are leading them astray. Ultimately, it is a loving but firm plea for them to return to the truth of the gospel and the freedom found in Christ, as they originally received it (Galatians 1:6-9).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Galatians 4:14, while speaking of the Galatians' reception of Paul, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Christ Jesus. Paul's "temptation in the flesh" foreshadows Christ's own suffering and humiliation—the Son of God taking on human flesh, with all its vulnerabilities, yet being "despised and rejected" by many, even by His own people (John 1:11). Just as the Galatians remarkably did not despise Paul despite his weakness, the elect of God are drawn to Christ not by His outward appearance or worldly power, but by the divine glory revealed through His humble, suffering humanity and His crucified form. Furthermore, Paul's statement "received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus" powerfully echoes Christ's own teaching that to receive His messengers is to receive Him (Matthew 10:40) and, by extension, to receive the Father who sent Him (Luke 10:16). Thus, the Galatians' initial Christ-like reception of Paul was a tangible demonstration of their faith in Christ himself, recognizing His authority in His chosen apostle. This verse ultimately points to Christ as the one who identifies with His suffering servants, and whose message, though delivered through frail human vessels, is to be received with the utmost reverence, for it is His very word, bringing life and freedom to those who believe (John 6:63).