What is the meaning of Galatians 4:15? What then has become of your blessing? • Paul reminds the Galatians of the rich joy they once experienced when they first received the gospel message (Galatians 4:13-14). • That “blessing” was more than a pleasant feeling; it was the Spirit-produced fruit of freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1, 22-23). • By turning toward legalistic teachers, they were forfeiting that joy and slipping into bondage, echoing Israel’s nostalgia for slavery after leaving Egypt (Numbers 11:5-6). • Cross references: Romans 5:1-2 shows peace and rejoicing that accompany justification; Revelation 2:4 illustrates how first love can be abandoned. For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. • Paul appeals to their past sacrificial affection, proving their former gratitude was genuine (Philippians 4:14-16; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). • The hyperbole underscores how deeply they once valued the apostle and, by extension, the gospel he preached (1 Thessalonians 2:8). • Many infer Paul’s “thorn” involved his eyesight (Galatians 6:11), though Scripture never states that explicitly; whatever the ailment, the Galatians had been willing to meet the need at great personal cost (Acts 4:32-35). • Their current coolness therefore exposes the danger of abandoning grace for law (Galatians 3:1-3). summary The verse contrasts the Galatians’ former Spirit-filled joy and sacrificial love with their present legalistic coldness. Paul’s vivid reminder—once you’d have given me your very eyes—calls them back to the freedom and blessing found only in the unaltered gospel of grace. |
    |