I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Summary: In this passage, Paul gives us a clue to the illness he mentions in verse fourteen.
Have you ever loved someone so much that you would have given up a part of your body to alleviate their suffering?
Back in Paul’s day, people couldn’t take out body parts and give them to someone else. Today, people can do that. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of heartwarming stories about lives saved when someone donated a kidney. People donate blood every day, and the gift of life is life to others, too.
Paul must have been in a bad way to suggest that the solution was replacing his eyes.
We don’t have any more specific information about Paul’s illness except what we read in his letter to the Galatians. There are some clues, however.
The first clue is Paul’s conversion experience.
Luke’s account says, “a light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3). Paul describes the light to King Agrippa as “brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13). Luke continues by telling us “when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing” and “for three days he was blind (Acts 9:8,9). Imagine what being confronted by the light of God would do to a person’s eyes!
The second clue is at the end of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
People who have trouble seeing often prefer a LARGE PRINT Bible. The large print makes it easier to see. Large print is also a clue that a person might be vision impaired. In Paul’s case, he points this out when he says, “See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!” (Galatians 6:11).
Paul’s eyes had been through a lot. Of course, he might have had an infection in his eyes, or it could have been a recurring problem (See 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10).
In short, we don’t know.
What we know is that Paul’s time with the Galatians was memorable because of their love and concern for him. If they could have, they would have given their eyes.
Imagine that.
That is how much the Galatians loved Paul.
Application: Don’t take people’s goodwill towards you for granted.
Food for Thought: What does it say about the Galatians that they cared for Paul so deeply?
In thinking about this question, I thought about the messenger.
In Romans 15:20-21 Paul wrote:
20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
People act as messengers, bringing news, “the goodness” or “badness” of it really depending on the effect the news has on someone. When we receive life-changing news from a messenger who risked their own life to deliver it, it is hard not feel immense gratitude toward that person. For meet someone who traveled and suffered greatly to bring the message of Christ, I think, would bring a great sense of gratitude and affection. I think the Church at Corinth felt this for Paul.
Thank you, Chris!
I am relating your comment to the mail we get at our house. Some of the messages are obviously junk mail. Those are not “loved.” In fact, most are not even opened.
If I get a card or personal letter in the mail, they get special attention. They are opened, read, and often are cherished.
At least at one point they demonstrated great thankfulness for Paul being God’s messenger of the gospel to their community. By showing love for Paul, they were also showing love for their Savior.
Paul’s point is that as they had deserted the true gospel, their affection for Paul had significantly diminished (we see that in the verse before and after the verse we are looking at today).
He who is forgiven much loves much. He who is forgiven little loves little.
Brother Rich,
Your comment today opens the doors to some very deep waters!
“He who is forgiven much loves much. He who is forgiven little loves little.”
Are you suggesting or implying that (A) their love for the messenger reflected their awareness of their need for Jesus, and (B) their later indifference to Paul’s message reflected the “different gospel” that had fallen in with? (This different gospel was really a return to the OT law that allowed people to feel they could earn God’s favor by obeying the law.)
Thank you for sharing!
Galatians 4:15b, What does it say about the Galatians that they cared for Paul so deeply?
In 4:14, Paul writes, even though my physical condition was a trial to you, you did not regard it with contempt, or scorn and reject me; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus Himself.
In 4:15, What then has become of that sense of blessing and the joy that you once had [from your salvation and your relationship with Christ]? For I testify of you that, if possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me [to replace mine]. AMP
I believe it’s possible, Paul is reminding them of how their great awareness of and compassion for the outward, physical condition of others was clearly seen, (v4:14), and asking them to re-evaluate their spiritual vision, and concern for the spiritual welfare of others which is dwindling.
Ron,
GREAT point! Thank you!