12 I beg of you, brethren , become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong ; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time ; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe , but you received me as an angel of God , as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible , you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth ?
17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably , but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner , and not only when I am present with you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Galatians 4:12-18
Commentary on Galatians 4:12-18
(Read Galatians 4:12-18)
The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him respecting the law of Moses, as well as united with him in love. In reproving others, we should take care to convince them that our reproofs are from sincere regard to the honour of God and religion and their welfare. The apostle reminds the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came among them. But he notices, that he was a welcome messenger to them. Yet how very uncertain are the favour and respect of men! Let us labour to be accepted of God. You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now reason to think otherwise? Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others. The false teachers who drew the Galatians from the truth of the gospel were designing men. They pretended affection, but they were not sincere and upright. An excellent rule is given. It is good to be zealous always in a good thing; not for a time only, or now and then, but always. Happy would it be for the church of Christ, if this zeal was better maintained.