Galatians 4:12 Brothers, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as you are: you have not injured me at all. I. The call is based on PERSONAL EXAMPLE. "I am." Paul, an exemplification of Christian liberty. He could afford to contrast himself with the Judaisers in point of piety, labour, and Divine blessing on his work. Christian liberty stood approved of God in his person and ministry. There was no risk to run, he himself being witness, in this glorious liberty. A grand thing when a teacher can make such an appeal on the ground of his own character. II. The call is founded on SELF-ABNEGATION. Paul renounced all his Jewish rights and privileges, and became "as without law to them that were without law," that he might liberate the Gentiles and keep them free. "Will you abandon me, when I have abandoned all for you?" The teacher must stoop to conquer, and place himself in the position of the taught. III. The call is based on THE PAST RELATIONSHIP OF THE TWO. "Ye have not injured me at all; you never disobeyed me; don't do so now." Happy the teacher who has such a ground of appeal. IV. The call is based on ITS OWN MERITS. There was no personal ground of complaint. Any grief the apostle might have had for the wreck of his own work was altogether subordinate to the thought of spiritual disaster. In the last resort every appeal must rest here. Other grounds are helpful, but gospel freedom must win its way on its own merits. The spirit of liberty is not merely a jealousy of our own particular rights, but a respect for the rights of others, and an unwillingness that any man, whether high or low, should be trampled under foot. (Channing.) Parallel Verses KJV: Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.WEB: I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, |
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