Pastoral ministry brings trials and disappointments as well as joys and blessings. Among those professing to be God’s people there are those who respond positively to ministry and who grow in grace, but there are others who backslide and resist counsel and who can be a great burden and bring sorrow to a pastor. Ministry cannot be done in a detached, dispassionate way. Paul is our great example. We now consider Galatians 4:8-20 Don’t turn back
1. The fear Paul experienced
Paul has set out some of the glorious blessings granted to those who believe in Christ. We might expect that no-one would want to forsake such a position, but regarding the Galatian churches he asks, ‘how is it that you are turning back?’ That is the main reason for this letter and is a great burden on Paul’s heart. He recalls their former state before conversion (v8), in bondage to idolatry, behind which lies the power of Satan. Then their present state – ‘now that you know God’ – in a saving way, ‘or rather that you are known by God’ – the initiative of grace that they claim to have experienced. Their action is perplexing – ‘how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?’ (v9). He gives the example of ‘observing days’ – the apparatus of the Judaism that the legalists infiltrating the church insisted was necessary for salvation. Paul’s fear for their salvation is clear: ‘I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you’. He cares deeply for their welfare.
2. The reception Paul received
Paul realises the Galatians are exchanging a bondage to idols for a bondage to legalism. We hear his passion and earnestness: ‘I plead with you, become like me, for I became like you’ (v12. Paul the observant Jew had had to abandon his dependence on obedience to the law and depend on God’s grace – so must they. He had been brought to the point of understanding he had no righteousness of his own. He looks back in order to drive home his appeal to the Galatians – ‘You have done me no wrong’ (v12). He recalls his first visit – ‘it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you’, and they had accepted Paul and his message ‘as if I were Christ Jesus himself’ (v14). Now they have abandoned the truth – ‘What has happened to all your joy?’ (v15). He feels he is now regarded as their enemy (v16).
3. The concern Paul expressed
Paul highlights the malign influence of the Judaizers with their legalistic teaching: ‘zealous to win you over, but for no good’ (v17). Their real motive is ‘to alienate you (‘shut you out’ ESV)’ – cut them off from Paul’s influence ‘so that you may be zealous for them’. Building one’s own ‘empire’ is the antithesis of pastoral ministry. Motivation is crucial: ‘we could translate v18 as ‘It is good to be zealously sought, provided the purpose is good’. Paul desired to be sought by the Galatians for their spiritual benefit. Note his heartfelt concern: ‘My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you’ (v19). It is a vivid description of spiritual growth and the pastor’s role as a spiritual midwife. The burden he feels is heavy – he is ‘perplexed’ about them – no indifference.