Paul, who is being “belittled” by some of his own converts in the Roman District known as Galatia, passionately reminds his flock …
“And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” Galatians 4:14
In other words, Paul is saying: “There have been other days when you did not discount me!” He’s referring to the very beginning of his ministry in Galatia. That would have been at least a year earlier, and some experts believe as many as three years.
Wow!
“And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”
The noun “temptation” merely means “a piercing trial.” (In Greek the noun is spelled “peirasmos.”) Paul’s “flesh” refers to his physical body. “Sarx” actually means (literally) something which is not lasting, which will be “swept away,” and maybe soon!
The verb “despised” means “to make as nothing.” But it’s implying the opposite here (since the adverb “not” is used) … thus meaning something like “holding a person in high regard!” Considering him “valuable,” maybe even “priceless!”
And “rejected,” nearly a synonym, means “spitted out!” Actually I think it’s “spat out!” They did not disdain Paul’s Sermons, his glorious Message about the Gospel of Grace, instead … they highly esteemed this Truth, and swallowed it whole!
Then the antonym “received” translates the Greek verb “dechomai,” meaning “to EAGERLY accept” a person or a gift! To take something in approvingly, with great delight!
Yes, back in (circa) 48 AD (on Paul’s first Missionary journey, way back when Barnabas was his traveling companion) these Gentile Galatians loved Paul dearly!
To this degree, according to our Text this morning … “but (you all) received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”
Wow!
I recently heard a preacher criticizing Paul for even writing these lines! He though Paul vain and proud to even remotely compare himself to an “angel,” much less to “Jesus Christ!”
I disagree.
Paul here is merely reporting (historically) what really happened in Galatia. (Once in Lystra the people though Paul to be a god! After he had miraculously healed a lame man! “And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.” Wow, 2 heathen gods, and this is pure Bible history, quoted from Acts 14:12!)
They at least in that sense received Paul gladly!
But Paul may have meant even more, by his bold statement: “ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”
The Greek noun “angel,” spelled “aggelos,” indeed means just this, “messenger!” Which Paul indeed was … to these Galatians!
So Paul is quite accurate thus far … in what he has claimed! Paul the Preacher!
But (also) as “Christ Jesus?”
Maybe THAT is going “too far?”
No!
Because Jesus Himself once taught … “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” Mark 10:40 (Repeated in Luke 9:48 and John 13:20!)
Wow, this is one of the relatively rare instances where John (nearly) directly quotes both Matthew and Luke!
So if the Galatians received Paul’s God-sent Message of salvation from Paul … it was indeed the equivalent of receiving that Message from Jesus Himself!
So in the end … Paul is right.
Just reporting events as they actually occurred.
And Paul is NOT vain or proud.
Still, the verse is astounding!
Loving a man one year … hating him the next! When that man risked his life … to tell you about Jesus, about eternal life!
Human nature, how fickle, especially without Jesus!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Why don’t you tell someone about Jesus today?