More than a few times in his letters, we see the pastoral heart of Paul the apostle. He carries a secret burden: "...my care for all the churches," 2 Corinthians 11:28. Galatians 4:8-20 is no exception. Paul the pastor grieves over these wayward believers. He rebukes, corrects, pleads, commands, and encourages them to be faithful to the gospel. His love for the Galatian churches and his passion for God's glory fills him with righteous indignation toward the false teachers. Even the thought that some of these converts might prove to be apostates pains him so deeply that he says, "I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain." And "...my little children for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you." |