Peggy Roe

Galatians 4:8-20 NRSV
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. 9 Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits?[a] How can you want to be enslaved to them again? 10 You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted. 12 Friends,[b] I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; 14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. 18 It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 

Reflection:
The overriding theme in Paul’s letter to the Jewish Christians in Galatia is “justification by faith,” not by law.  This enclave believed that to become a Christian, a man had to be circumcised: circumcision was a covenantal symbol that a man was a descendant of Abraham and, therefore, one of God’s chosen people. As Christians, all people – whether Gentile or Jew – would be children of Abraham, recognize the Messiah, and receive the Spirit of Christ. In spite of the Galatians’ professed belief, their behavior dismays Paul, who hears that they have drifted back to their old ways of following the law instead of trusting Christ.  Missionaries from other cities had come into their midst and tempted them to stray. 

This passage reminds me of an instance when a friend and I acted as substitute teachers in a local elementary school as part of “Project APPLE,” an initiative where volunteers would serve in classrooms across the city while teachers took a literacy course at Neuhaus Education Center.  The “real” teacher had left detailed instructions about the schedule we would follow and the assignments the students would complete. As soon as my friend and I attempted the otherwise mundane task of calling the roll, the wheels started coming off the cart, and an environment of mayhem ensued. These third-or-fourth graders could read and write and, one assumed, had experienced some sort of structure in their classroom. Not on that day. Out of desperation to gain control of the situation, my co-volunteer collared the worst-behaved boys and marched them to the principal’s office for disciplinary purposes. Imagine my astonishment when my friend returned to the room with the boys still in tow: the principal said it was not her problem and that was that. (This episode was a sequel to the movie, “The Longest Day.”)

In a much more significant way, Paul was experiencing mayhem among the Galatians who were taking advantage of his absence, abandoning the lessons he had taught them about being imbued with the Spirit and not ruled by the law, and returning to their old ways. He uses the metaphor of their being “enslaved” by the law and observing former “seasons”—no doubt favorite Jewish holidays and festivals—as examples of their faithlessness. Verse 19 summarizes his feelings of disappointment and dismay: “My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, …I am perplexed about you.” Or, stated another way, “Woe is me.”

Imagine Paul’s disillusionment in learning that all his work had seemingly gone to waste.  Apparently, his earlier bond with the Galatians had been strong, and they had come to see Christ in him.  Paul is the “real” teacher of the Galatians, and he is invoking them to return to their new ways and walk by faith, not by works. By doing so, they will inherit the kingdom of God.

Prayer:
Dear gracious, heavenly Father,
As children of Father Abraham, we often behave just like children and strive to gain control of our lives by adhering to our old ways instead of turning to your new way of trusting in Christ. We are grateful for the grace and mercy you offer us so freely through your son’s presence in our lives.  Amen.