… and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn.
Summary: Paul gives us some insight into his relationship with the Galatians.
Life in the first century was hard. There were no hospitals, and the available medical care was primitive. People depended on the help of family and friends if they fell ill. If you were traveling in a strange land, falling ill could be a death sentence.
The illness Paul talks about is a mystery. We don’t know what was wrong with him, only that in verse fifteen, he suggests it had something to do with his eyes.
Let’s imagine for a moment that Paul is somewhere in the region of Galatia, and he falls ill. Something happens to his eyes, perhaps an infection. Because of the infection, he is not able to see. Everything is a blur.
Keep in mind that in Paul’s day, the most common form of travel was walking. People walked everywhere. It was rare to have a donkey or horse to ride and rarer still to own a cart with something to pull it. People walked.
If Paul couldn’t see, walking would become impossible unless he was guided by the hand. In fact, everything we normally take for granted would become difficult or impossible. Without his eyes, Paul couldn’t work, shop, or fix his food. Remember that he is not at home when this happens. He is not in familiar territory.
What would you do if you lost your eyesight in a strange town without friends or family nearby?
When the illness struck Paul, he became helpless. He was dependent on those around him for everything. This situation could have turned out very bad for Paul, but it didn’t. God was with him and provided for him. God provided people to care for Paul and an opportunity for Paul to share the good news about Jesus Christ.
But why would Paul say, “you did not treat me with contempt or scorn”? Is there some reason he would have expected that?
Yes, actually.
Remember Paul’s list of trials he has been through? He’s been beaten, flogged, whipped, and stoned. If Paul expects the worst in people, he has good reason. But that is not what he found in Galatia. He found people who care. What better place to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Application: Paul’s vulnerability allowed him to see the heart of the Galatians.
Food for Thought: How does Paul’s low expectations of people help him in his ministry?
I am not sure Paul had low expectations. I guess it depends on how one defines that. Jesus certainly did not have low expectations. Luke 9: 23; Luke 14: 25 – 27; the sermon on the mount. Paul likewise called on people to commit. Philippians 1: 27 – 30; Philippians 3: 12 – 14; 2 Corinthians 5: 15; 1 Timothy 4: 10 – 16; 2 Timothy 4.
It would seem Pail knew people would sin and struggle, but he called them to be all in when it came to devotion to Christ.
Brother Rich,
Thank you for your response today. You are right! Paul and Jesus both have expectations for believers. I worded my question poorly.
In my mind, I was thinking about the Galatians before they knew Christ, and all the people who hounded Paul during his career who did not know Jesus. It was those people I was envisioning.
When we approach those who do not know Christ, I think it might help to expect people to act like … well, people. 🙂
Yes. That makes sense brother
How does Paul’s low expectations of people help him in his ministry?
I believe R is correct!
Believers remain on earth as children of God, empowered by God to receive and convey His message for the world, to the world. The people God places in our path are often people rejected by this self righteous world we live in.
Our Lord gives us eyes to “SEE” , ears to “HEAR” these people, and the power of Jesus Christ, to in His love speak and provide care to these people. We have no expectations, seek nothing from them, as we function in service to our God.
We no longer exist to judge, but find our pleasure in giving to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Amen, Ron!
Well said! Not only that, but we have his Holy Spirit to prod us to pay attention to those things he wants us to SEE and HEAR. 🙂
Yes, He is amazing! God does all the work, we cooperate as we yield to His power.
Thanks,
Ron