In Galatians 4 the great apostle noted a change in his relationship with the churches in Galatia. It is generally agreed that the apostasy that threatened the churches had begun rather quickly, only a few short years after they were first established by Paul. He went to Galatia and established churches there while on his first journey, recorded in Acts 13.
Consider how the apostle was treated by the Galatians when he came to them. There was an apparent physical infirmity from which Paul suffered while he was with them (13). They were very kind to him as he ministered among them. “And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus” (14). High praise indeed, bringing to our mind what Jesus said. In response to the righteous who had cared diligently for the welfare of His “brethren” Christ said, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” Matthew 25:40. Paul went so far as to say, “For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me” (15).
But in a very short time, things changed. The Judaizers had come in, seeking to undermine Paul’s reputation and teaching. Paul described their efforts, “They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them” (17).
Paul’s response to this? A call for steadfastness even when he was not present, “But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you” (18). A concern for their present faithfulness, “I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you” (20). A question, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (16).
Paul’s appeal to the Galatians shows us the importance of steadfastness. They had been “tossed to and fro” (cf. Ephesians 4:14), being deceived by false teachers who spied out the liberty they had in Christ. This is why Paul started his letter in (1:6) by writing, “I marvel that you are turning so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.”
Let us be diligent to grow in God’s word, going “on to perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). Failure to grow leads to a real danger of apostasy. The Galatians were not a special case. The leavening influence of false teachers can affect any of us at any time. “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words” (2 Peter 2:3). Beware!
