4:10,11
While the Jews had special days and months, so did the pagan religions, with special days for various deities. In Judaism there were new moons and sabbatical years. The Galatians were returning to these things and seeing life as governed by them. So Paul fears that all his efforts had been in vain. So what was Paul seeking to do, what does the gospel seek to do? It seeks to set people free from bondage. Indeed, freedom will be a primary feature of the coming passages. We have a deep seated need to be subject to something. Even when we rebel against one thing, whatever we may claim, we usually end up becoming enthralled to something else. We want to dedicate ourselves to something. If that thing is godly then this dedication, this subjection, will result in freedom. If it is an ungodly subjection then it will result in enslavement. For instance, commitment in marriage actually results in freedom. Supremely, commitment to Christ results in true freedom.
4:12
Paul has had some very severe things to say to them, but in the next few verses a deep affection also comes out. Paul became like them, ie he acted like a Gentile in the sense of being perfectly happy to mix with them. This is again why the Peter-Paul eating argument was so important. Part of the reason for Paul reminding them of this was to remind them that he ate with them as equals. They had clear evidence that Paul regarded them as equal. Now he calls on them to become like him, to follow his example. “You have not injured me at all”. His opponents may have claimed that the Galatians had offended Paul in some way. He assures them that this is not the case.
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