Galatians 4:13
Verse
Context
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.
Sermons
Michael Flowers
Daniel Steele
Jonathan EdwardsSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye know how through infirmity - The apostle seems to say that he was much afflicted in body when he first preached the Gospel to them. And is this any strange thing, that a minister, so laborious as St. Paul was, should be sometimes overdone and overcome by the severity of his labors? Surely not. This might have been only an occasional affliction, while laboring in that part of Asia Minor; and not a continual and incurable infirmity, as some have too hastily conjectured.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
how through infirmity--rather, as Greek, "Ye know that because of an infirmity of my flesh I preached," &c. He implies that bodily sickness, having detained him among them, contrary to his original intentions, was the occasion of his preaching the Gospel to them. at the first--literally, "at the former time"; implying that at the time of writing he had been twice in Galatia. See my Introduction; also see on Gal 4:16, and Gal 5:21. His sickness was probably the same as recurred more violently afterward, "the thorn in the flesh" (Co2 12:7), which also was overruled to good (Co2 12:9-10), as the "infirmity of the flesh" here.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And my temptation which was in my flesh,.... The same with the infirmity of his flesh, and which was a trial of his faith and patience, and every other grace, as the afflictions of the saints be. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version read, "your temptation in my flesh"; that which was a trial of them, whether they would receive him or not. This ye despised not; nor the apostle on the account of it, nor his ministry; they thought never the worse of him, nor of the Gospel he preached, because of this: nor rejected; him, nor the counsel of God declared by him, but received me; as they did, into their cities and places of worship, into their houses, and into their hearts and affections: and that as an angel of God; with all that reverence and respect, that high esteem, veneration, and affection, as if one of the celestial inhabitants had been sent down from heaven to bring them the good tidings of the Gospel: or "as a messenger of God", as the phrase may be rendered: as one that had his mission and commission from God, which was not at all disputed by them: but they looked upon him under that character, and regarded him as such, even as Christ Jesus; as his ambassador, as representing him, as being in his stead; yea, if he had been personally present as man among them, they could not have shown greater respect to him as such, than they did to the apostle; for as for any religious worship and adoration, that they did not offer to him; and had they, he would have addressed them in like manner he did the inhabitants of Lystra, Act 14:14. Now since they showed him so much respect, notwithstanding all his infirmities, temptations, and afflictions, when he first preached the Gospel; what should hinder that they should not pay the same regard to him now, by abiding in his doctrine and following his example, since he was the same man in his principles and practices now as then?
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:13-14 I was sick: Paul might have had a chronic physical ailment, but it is not certain what it was (cp. 2 Cor 12:7). Paul’s condition was serious and apparently caused difficulty or even offense to the new church in Galatia. Physical trouble was often regarded by both Jews and Gentiles as a sign of God’s judgment (cp. John 9:1-2; Acts 28:4). The Galatians saw past Paul’s outward condition and received him as God’s messenger (literally angel; Greek angelos). • or even Christ Jesus himself: Cp. Luke 10:16.
Galatians 4:13
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Ministry in the Spirit, 8. Healing, an Introduction
By Michael Flowers24122:59HealingGAL 4:13In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of healing and the desire for all believers to be healed. They mention that not all are healed, using the example of Paul's eye affliction in Galatians 4. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not hiding from the devil, but rather confronting and overcoming him. They also highlight the holistic nature of the Gospel, which includes the healing of the spirit, soul, and body. The sermon concludes with a call to prayer for those who are ill and a confession of faith.
Faith Healing
By Daniel Steele0ISA 53:4MAT 7:22MAT 8:17ACT 28:51CO 12:41CO 13:2GAL 4:13COL 4:142TI 4:20JAS 5:15Daniel Steele preaches about the earnest effort to restore the lost extraordinary gifts of the Spirit in modern Christianity, focusing on healing by faith and the distinction between the grace of faith and the gift of faith. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that the gift of faith for healing is sovereignly bestowed by the Holy Spirit and is not morally obligatory like the grace of faith. Steele highlights the need for unwavering faith in God's will for healing, cautioning against the dangers of expecting unconditional healing through the exercise of faith. He concludes by advocating for a prayer of submission to God's will in times of sickness, rather than insisting on healing through faith alone.
A Farewell Sermon
By Jonathan Edwards0DEU 33:8ISA 49:4JER 6:29DAN 12:3MAT 22:13LUK 14:16ROM 2:51CO 4:52CO 1:14GAL 4:13HEB 13:17Jonathan Edwards delivers a farewell sermon at the First Church in Northampton, MA, emphasizing the accountability of ministers and their congregations before Christ's tribunal on the day of judgment. He highlights the importance of ministers approving themselves to their conscience, their hearers, and ultimately to their Judge. Edwards explains how ministers and their people, though separated in this world, will meet again before Christ for a final judgment, where their actions, controversies, and treatment of each other will be examined and judged. He urges the congregation, including professors of godliness, those under awakenings, young people, and children, to consider their eternal destiny, the impact of his ministry on their lives, and the need for sincere repentance and faith in Christ before the impending judgment day.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye know how through infirmity - The apostle seems to say that he was much afflicted in body when he first preached the Gospel to them. And is this any strange thing, that a minister, so laborious as St. Paul was, should be sometimes overdone and overcome by the severity of his labors? Surely not. This might have been only an occasional affliction, while laboring in that part of Asia Minor; and not a continual and incurable infirmity, as some have too hastily conjectured.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
how through infirmity--rather, as Greek, "Ye know that because of an infirmity of my flesh I preached," &c. He implies that bodily sickness, having detained him among them, contrary to his original intentions, was the occasion of his preaching the Gospel to them. at the first--literally, "at the former time"; implying that at the time of writing he had been twice in Galatia. See my Introduction; also see on Gal 4:16, and Gal 5:21. His sickness was probably the same as recurred more violently afterward, "the thorn in the flesh" (Co2 12:7), which also was overruled to good (Co2 12:9-10), as the "infirmity of the flesh" here.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And my temptation which was in my flesh,.... The same with the infirmity of his flesh, and which was a trial of his faith and patience, and every other grace, as the afflictions of the saints be. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version read, "your temptation in my flesh"; that which was a trial of them, whether they would receive him or not. This ye despised not; nor the apostle on the account of it, nor his ministry; they thought never the worse of him, nor of the Gospel he preached, because of this: nor rejected; him, nor the counsel of God declared by him, but received me; as they did, into their cities and places of worship, into their houses, and into their hearts and affections: and that as an angel of God; with all that reverence and respect, that high esteem, veneration, and affection, as if one of the celestial inhabitants had been sent down from heaven to bring them the good tidings of the Gospel: or "as a messenger of God", as the phrase may be rendered: as one that had his mission and commission from God, which was not at all disputed by them: but they looked upon him under that character, and regarded him as such, even as Christ Jesus; as his ambassador, as representing him, as being in his stead; yea, if he had been personally present as man among them, they could not have shown greater respect to him as such, than they did to the apostle; for as for any religious worship and adoration, that they did not offer to him; and had they, he would have addressed them in like manner he did the inhabitants of Lystra, Act 14:14. Now since they showed him so much respect, notwithstanding all his infirmities, temptations, and afflictions, when he first preached the Gospel; what should hinder that they should not pay the same regard to him now, by abiding in his doctrine and following his example, since he was the same man in his principles and practices now as then?
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:13-14 I was sick: Paul might have had a chronic physical ailment, but it is not certain what it was (cp. 2 Cor 12:7). Paul’s condition was serious and apparently caused difficulty or even offense to the new church in Galatia. Physical trouble was often regarded by both Jews and Gentiles as a sign of God’s judgment (cp. John 9:1-2; Acts 28:4). The Galatians saw past Paul’s outward condition and received him as God’s messenger (literally angel; Greek angelos). • or even Christ Jesus himself: Cp. Luke 10:16.