Galatians 4:8-20, Until Christ is Formed in You

Let us consider some of the issues raised in this passage.

·       4:8: you served those which by nature are not gods.  The Galatian churches, as we noted in our introduction, were in an area visited by Paul on his first missionary journey.  They were predominantly Gentile.  There were Jewish synagogues and communities there, but the churches were primarily Gentile.  Thus, before the gospel arrived and they put their faith in Christ, they were idolaters.  Since they came to know God, false teachers had been trying to convince them to live their Christian lives by adhering to the Law.  Acts 15:1,5 explains this in the lead-up to the council at Jerusalem.

·       4:9: know God, or rather are known by God.  It is true that we do come to “know God” (2 Pet. 3:18; Phil. 3:10).  But Paul “corrects” himself here because he wants to be sure the Galatians understand that salvation is of God.  Note Isaiah 65:1: I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.  God’s “knowing us” is not a mere passive knowledge but is an active knowledge. 

·       4:9: elements.  This refers to the Law.  The elements or principles of the Law are weak and beggarly only in the sense that they cannot “impart life” (3:21).  The Law describes life but we need something that will make us alive.  Those who try to attain holiness by law-keeping end up joyless (4:15).

·       4:11: lest I have labored for you in vain.  4:19: I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.  We place these phrases together to raise the question of Paul’s ultimate concern.  Is he concerned that they are not saved at all?  Or is he concerned that they are saved but will come up short in terms of maturity?  It is possible either could be the case.  But what strikes me is that Paul does not really talk in terms we sometimes use.  In 4:11 “lest” is better “lest, perhaps”.  Some translations say it that way, e.g.: I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain (NASB).  He is not specific about the nature of the danger.  In 4:19, the formation of Christ is best understood as a matter of spiritual growth.  Phil. 3:10 has a similar thought: that I may know Him … being conformed to His death.  It is the ongoing transformation into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:17-18).

·       4:13-14: What is Paul talking about here?  Acts does not tell us about this apparent illness.  It appears Paul had an “eye” problem, perhaps related to the humid conditions of the area of Galatia when he visited.

·       4:17: They zealously court you, but for no good.  Paul refers to the Judaizers, Jews who tried to enforce their Law-keeping on the Gentile believers.  By the time the letter is finished, he will have strong words for these people.

Let us remember: this is not simply a Galatian problem.  It is a matter for believers in general, that Christ be formed in us.  How is it going?