Read with me Galatians 4:13 again. Yes, we broached this Verse yesterday in our last Lesson. Paul writes his converts: “Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.” 

Paul might have never even preached in Galatia, the Roman Province containing cities like Lystra, Derbe and Iconium, had it not been for a certain “infirmity” in his body, in his flesh!

Was that “weakness” (for so the Greek word “astheneia” is defined) something like malaria, which contagion often raged in much of the territory Paul and his team would have traversed on that now famed Second Missionary Journey? A malady the human body never fully gets over, never completely recuperates!

Or was it “injury” resulting from his being stoned (to death) in Lystra, in south Galatia itself. Recorded by Luke in Acts 14:19? “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

Wow!

Some also wonder if it was a recurrence (or the very onset perhaps) of Paul’s “thorn in the flesh?” So poignantly described in 2 Corinthians 12?

Or was it (based on Galatians 4:15, only two verses removed from our Text today) some sort of eye disease that rendered Paul obnoxious in his physical appearance? (Other New Testament Texts do hint that Paul had some sort of eye trouble. Galatians 6:11 being one of them.)

Truthfully, wo do not know for sure the essence of Paul’s “infirmity” in the flesh. 

We only know that it apparently slowed down the evangelistic party’s pace for a while, making it necessary to preach in the area of Galatia! (Either that, or do nothing while Paul mended, regained strength. And as you well know, inactivity was NEVER a part of Paul’s nature!)

“Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.” 

I wish we knew more!

Sickness … but not retirement!

Weakness in the flesh, but obviously not in the spirit!

Not in Paul’s mind or will or emotions!

Sick … but still preaching!

Oh … to be more like Paul in that stark resolution!

Almost a holy stubbornness!

An “I will not quit” attitude!

The prepositional phrase (at the end of our verse today) “at the first” means either when Paul originally arrived in Galatia. Or on the first of (perhaps) two visits to those cities, those newly founded Churches.

I’m telling you … that sickness made his Galatian Ministry possible!

In fact, Paul seldom seems to have been a totally strong, healthy man.

This great Preacher/Apostle needed a physician to accompany him most places, what dedication to Christ! That would be Dr. Luke, of course!

But to better understand, just look at the short list (written mid-ministry in Paul career) of the trials this man of God weathered: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” What an awesome resume, found in 2nd Corinthians 11:24-28.

And we are surprised Paul had “infirmities of the flesh?”

He also later reminds us: “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” These “marks” no doubt being “scars” from the many beatings, hairbreadth escapes, and dangerous adventures … preaching the Gospel!

And the Galatian Christians can thank God that one of those “weakness” indirectly played a part in their very salvation!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Maybe someone reading here today is “sick” or “aged” or just “tired” … ready to “back off” from your calling in Christ Jesus. “Lighten up” in your Christian life!

Be like Paul.

Keep on serving Jesus … even through those infirmities!

As long as humanly possible.