Misplaced Zeal.Galatians 4:17-20.
Dear Holy Nation,
Having dismissed legalism in principle and shown it to be impractical, Paul now turns his attention to the perpetrators of the position and exposes them as frauds. He wants the Galatian Christians to be vigilant because they can easily be misled.
Insincerity (v. 17). Paul says that the promoters of legalism have an ulterior motive. Their real intention is to draw the Galatians away from Christ and to themselves. It is important to note that a lot of false teachers draw attention away from Christ and to themselves. If you find a person – pastor, prophet, apostle, bishop – whatever the title, to whom followers are devoted, be cautious. All servants of God ought to promote devotion to Christ.
Integrity (v. 18). Paul alludes to the fact that the Galatians had been zealous for the gospel when he was with them, but had turned to other pursuits in his absence. Integrity is being true even when no one is watching. The opposite, where one is true when others are watching, is hypocrisy. Paul is not really accusing the Galatians of hypocrisy, but he is challenging them to be faithful to what he had taught them.
Intention (vv. 19-20).Paul’s concern for the Christians arouses in him powerful emotions. He likens his struggles to labor pains, as though a woman who has already given birth is in labor, to birth the same baby again. The Galatians had received Christ but were now behaving as though it had never happened. Paul is deliberately harsh with them in his tone, but he wants to visit with them, help to restore them to the true faith, and speak more gently to them.
It is easy to be misled by people who have selfish agendas. They can act spiritual and zealous, but the motive is personal gain and glory. Beware everyone who questions the faith you have been raised on and who offers a “superior” or better alternative.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.