John Calvin Commentary Galatians 4:12

"I beseech you, brethren, become as I [am], for I also [am become] as ye [are]. Ye did me no wrong:" — Galatians 4:12 (ASV)

Be as I am. Having until now spoken roughly, he begins to adopt a milder tone. The former harshness had been more than justified by the gravity of the offense; but as he wished to do good, he resolves to adopt a style of conciliation. It is the role of a wise pastor to consider, not what those who have wandered may justly deserve, but what may be the most likely method of bringing them back to the right path. He must be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2). Following the method which he had recommended to Timothy, he stops chiding and begins to use entreaties. I implore you, he says, and calls them brethren, to assure them that no bitterness had mingled with his reproofs.

The words, be as I am, refer to the disposition of the mind. As he endeavors to accommodate himself to them, so he wishes that they would do the same for him in return. For I am as you are. “As I have no other aim than to promote your benefit, it is therefore fitting that you should be persuaded to adopt moderate views and lend a willing, obedient ear to my instructions.” And here again, pastors are reminded of their duty to meet the people at their level, as far as they can, and to study the various dispositions of those with whom they interact, if they wish for their message to be heeded. The proverb still holds: “To be loved, you must be lovely.”

You have not injured me at all. This is intended to remove the suspicion that might have made his former reproofs more unpleasant. If we think that a person is speaking from a sense of personal injury, or avenging a private quarrel, we disregard him entirely and are sure to twist whatever he says into an unfavourable interpretation. Paul therefore counters the rising prejudice by saying, “As far as I am concerned, I have no reason to complain about you. It is not for my own sake, nor out of any hostility towards you, that I speak passionately; and therefore, if I use strong language, it must stem from some other cause than hatred or anger.”