Galatians 4.12-15
“Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.”
When Paul first preached the gospel to the Galatians, he did so “because of an illness”, which was a “trial” to them. There has been much speculation about the nature of Paul’s illness. Some of the guesses are that he had malaria, epilepsy, or an eye disease. Many suggest it is the same as the “thorn in the flesh” referred to in 2 Corinthians 12: 7.
What we do know is that because of this illness Paul ended up in Galatia. It is possible he needed help that could only be found there (i.e., some kind of healer) or that the climate and conditions in the highlands of Galatia were favorable for his recuperation. It’s also evident that the illness was obvious and the kind that could be offensive to an audience (hence, a “trial to you”). But the illness did not bother the Galatians; they looked beyond it and saw in Paul’s preaching the truth of God. In fact, they received him as if he were an angel; even more, they received him as if he were Jesus Christ himself.
The idea of being received as if he were Jesus Christ is connected to the principle of apostleship. Apostles were personal representatives, and receiving such a messenger was equivalent to receiving the sender. Paul says the Galatians were so receptive that, had they been able, they would have given their eyes to him. It is this verse that has led many to think Paul’s illness was an eye disease.
Paul’s infirmity raises a question that people have asked for centuries: Why does God allow suffering? You will recall that the book of James opens by saying, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1.2-4).
How to respond to difficulty and adversity is a major theme in the book of James. It was certainly top of mind for the early church, since the surrounding culture (both Jewish and Roman) was often hostile to the Christian Faith. If you professed faith in Christ in the first century of the Roman Empire, there was a good chance that you would experience serious persecution.
A significant number of professing Christians today seem to have the expectation that when a person believes in Jesus, life will get easier and more comfortable, and God will protect them from the hassles and difficulties that happen in the course of life. This, of course, is not the gospel. The Lord makes no such promises in scripture. When bad things happen (which they inevitably do), many Christians are quick to react with: “Why me?” or “How could God let this happen?” What follows is confusion and anger and doubt.
And big time stress.
What motivates people to believe in Jesus? Is it to serve Christ as Lord and be an agent of the Kingdom of God in the midst of a fallen and broken world, or is it to get saved and be happy and have God protect them from the hassles and difficulties of life? Real Christianity deals with real life in the real world. No sugar-coating. No fairy tales. No empty promises. The Lord told us that adversity is a reality. It is also inevitable. No one wants it, but everyone gets it. The key variable is: How will you respond?
Here are four biblical principles for responding to the challenges, problems and adversity of life in a fallen world:
1) Don’t be surprised. Be prepared.
2) Don’t be fear-driven. Be faith-driven.
3) Don’t be resentful. Be thankful.
4) Don’t be self-centered. Be Christ-centered.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
