OUR FATHER WHO KNEW US BEFORE WE WERE BORN

The fourth chapter of Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Galatians  from  verses 8 - 20 brings up the apprehension that Paul was feeling regarding the propensity the Galatians were showing for reverting to their idol worship.  Paulˋs concern was that all his wok to bring them to the knowledge of the one True God was going to add up to nothing when the Galatians returned to their tribal gods and tracking the calendar events that marked the dates on which their former religious practices occured.

 8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 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. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Paul urges his readers to follow his example by which he, inspite of a severe physical debilitation, he preached to them. He acknowledged that the Galatians had seen past the physical issues he was having and they recieved him as an angel of God and perhaps even as they would have if he were the Lord Jesus Himself.

They were so enthusiastic to supoprt him that they would have donated their own eyes if they could help him see better. 

Now that he was  rebuking them for their backsliding, he wondered if they were going to start considering him to be an enemy.

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.  19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
 

The passage continues with a warning from Paul about the arrival of some people who were going to try to seduce them away from the truth and towards the weak and beggarly elements of alternate beliefs. 

In response to this development, Paul undertook to pray and labor for them so that they would mature to the point because he had lost confidence in them.

Amen.

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