Ministry of Grace Church

 

 

Galatians 4:15

¹⁵What 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.

Truth to Learn

The gospel message produces a blessed experience for the one receiving the truth, but all the glory goes to God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “blessing” is “markarismos,” which is closely related to “markarios” meaning possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God. However, the particular word used in the current verse is not one that means the state of being blessed, rather it means the state of one who has proclaimed oneself to be blessed. Paul’s point is not that the Galatians had been blessed by his initial preaching to them but that they claimed to have been blessed by his initial preaching.

As with the previous few verses, there is a variant reading on this verse depending on which manuscript is followed. Some manuscripts have, as we see in this translation, “What blessedness you had then,” and it likely is a statement, not a question. A greater number of manuscripts, however, have this as, “Where then is your blessedness?” In either case, it was not so much a blessedness that they had as much as a blessedness that they claimed to have.

Meaning Explained

Apparently, when Paul first preached the gospel message to the churches in Galatia, they received him and his message with great happiness. In fact, they claimed such a blessing at that time that they would have given their very eyesight to him. Some have deduced from this statement and the fact that verse thirteen talked about a physical infirmity that Paul must have been suffering from a problem with his eyes, perhaps a constantly oozing discharge.

There may be another more reasonable explanation, however. During the first century, there was a proverbial expression denoting the highest regard and strongest affection for a person. This expression involved proclaiming someone else as dearer than one’s own eyes or a willingness to give one’s eyes for the sake of the other person. This seems to make more sense in light of what Paul has been and will be talking about.

The Christians in Galatia had proclaimed such joy in receiving the gospel message of salvation and held Paul in such esteem that they would have given him their eyes. Now that they have been seduced by the false teaching of legalism, however, they appear to have rejected Paul and his message. But Paul did not take it personal; hence, his proclamation in verse twelve, “you have done me no harm.”

Application

When Paul delivered the gospel message and saw souls being saved, he did not take credit for the miracle of grace, he gave the glory to God. So now those who once rejoiced in their salvation do not insult Paul when they have turned from the simple truth to their legalistic practices. It is not their preacher that they harm, but themselves.

Let us continue to shine the light of the glorious gospel by witnessing it to those around us. And when we see souls being saved, let us give the glory to God; after all, He’s the one who deserves it.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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