Matthew Henry Commentary Galatians 4:12-18

"I beseech you, brethren, become as I [am], for I also [am become] as ye [are]. Ye did me no wrong: but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time: and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus. Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth? They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them. But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you." — Galatians 4:12-18 (ASV)

The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him regarding the law of Moses, as well as united with him in love. In reproving others, we should take care to convince them that our reproofs are from sincere regard for the honour of God and religion and their welfare. The apostle reminds the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came among them.

But he notices that he was a welcome messenger to them. Yet how very uncertain are the favour and respect of men! Let us labour to be accepted by God. You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now reason to think otherwise?

Christians must not refrain from speaking the truth, for fear of offending others. The false teachers who drew the Galatians from the truth of the gospel were scheming men. They pretended affection, but they were not sincere and upright. An excellent rule is given.

It is good to be zealous always in a good thing; not for a time only, or now and then, but always. Happy would it be for the church of Christ, if this zeal were better maintained.