As Paul had freed himself from bondage to ordinances, so he would have the Galatians stand with him in liberty. He held nothing against them though they were led to doubt his apostleship (Galatians 4:12 ). What he was concerned about was their freedom. What a lesson for leadership today - to be fully committed to another's freedom - not demanding officiously an apology for some grievance thought to be done against them personally.

Paul reminds the Galatians when he came with the gospel to them. He was in physical distress. His sickness was humiliating to himself, and the symptoms could not be concealed from others, added to which it made him loathsome in the eyes of those in close contact with him.

Many have attempted to pinpoint the sickness, but we are not told what it was. Eye trouble has been suggested from Galatians 4:15. Others say Malaria, or it was Paul's thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7 ). Whatever that was, speculation is unprofitable. What is important is the sympathetic and affectionate way in which the Galatians received God's messenger and his message. Their loving consideration for himself Paul desired to experience again. The expression "you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me" (Galatians 4:15 ), was a common term then to describe loyal affection that would give up everything for another.

God would have us have a loving sacrificial attitude towards His faithful messengers. It is also important for the messenger not to take selfish advantage of the openness of heart of generous believers. Don't pass over the fact that an outstanding servant of Jesus Christ was sick - being in active and important service does not immune from times of ill health, bodily pain or weakness. Such do not need upbraiding, but loving understanding and believing prayer.

Galatians 4:16 "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

Speaking the truth can inflict pain, but the pain itself can indicate there is something wrong within - even a possible departure from truth. Unpalatable indeed may be the truth that is spoken, but in actuality the truth-speaker is our best friend (Proverbs 27:6 ). To Paul, truth was far more precious than esteem and man-pleasing. Don't betray the truth for the favour of men.

Galatians 4:17 "They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them."

	They use flattery- "they zealously court you" Enthusiasm is good, but when it is a practice of deceit it is deplorable. Those who peddle false doctrine are zealously wrong. They are determined at any cost to the hearer, to impress them, using all their flattery in their practised art.
	They hide deceit - "Court you but not for good" Behind their zealous attentions was their own hidden agenda which was to ensnare the Galatians.
	They isolate you - "They want to exclude you" They virtually monopolised the Galatians with gushing attentions, so as to isolate them from Paul and those enjoying Christian freedom in Christ, so that their heresy would not be confronted and they lose their grip on those they had subdued into error.
	They subject you - "that you may be zealous for them" The aim of the legalist was to make the seduced converts totally dependent on them for instruction, and subjected to them, so that their teaching could not be questioned. False teachers disciple to themselves not to Christ.

Galatians 4:18 "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you."

	It is good to be zealous for the good of others.
	It is good to be zealous according to knowledge of Jesus Christ.
	It is good to be zealous in recognition of another's gifting in the body of Christ.
	It is good to be zealous of good works like Jesus.
	It is good to be zealous as a constant condition.
	It is good to be zealous for the advancement of truth.
	It is good to be zealous even when faithful leaders are present or absent.

Zeal in caring for and assisting others should not depend on who is observing us - it should spring from Holy Spirit fire within.

Galatians 4:19 "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,"

In a description of endearment "my little children" and anguish over their condition - earnest desire is expressed by Paul that the Galatians be restored to a complete state of sonship in Christ Jesus. "Until Christ be formed in you" - The erroneous teacher sought to shape Moses in their hearts, not Christ. Paul would have Christ and His teaching formed in them, and he was travailing to accomplish this. True ministry has as its aim the bringing of every believer to the full stature in Christ (Ephesians 4:13 ). That is, full growth to the standard which is Jesus Christ. Every believer is to become wholly like Jesus.

Galatians 4:20 "I desire to be present with you now, ..."

To be present would mean eye to eye contact - enabling more expressive communication. To be present the changes in tone of voice would communicate the heart, softening hard words. Leadership, whenever possible, should confront issues on a face to face basis. The living voice has great adaptability and the spoken word affects the spirit of a man. Particularly this kind of communication is required when, like Paul, you have doubts about those involved.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What lesson for leadership can be learned from Paul's words in Galatians 4:12?
2. Do you hold truth to be far more precious than to be betrayed for the favour of men? (Galatians 4:16 ).
3. What are the cultish methods of false teachers, stated in Galatians 4:17-18?
4. What is the aim of true ministry for every believer? (Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 4:13 ).