Illness

Galatians 4:11-16 - I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

1 Thessalonians 3:5 - For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

Conclusions:

• Paul fears he has wasted his efforts on the Galatians due to their return to the old covenant law
• Paul uses the Greek emphatic pronoun, I, to bring out his deep conviction
• Satan is spoken of in every major division of the New Testament
• Satan is supreme among evil spirits
• Satan's activities can affect the physical and the spiritual
• Satan tempted Jesus, and he continues to tempt Jesus servants
• Satan hinders missionary work
• But Satan has already been defeated and Christians need not be overwhelmed by him
• Satan's final overthrow is certain
• Some suggest Paul's illness was eye trouble
• Others have suggested Paul's illness was malaria or epilepsy
• Paul first preached to the Galatians on his first missionary journey
• Because of the restraints of legalistic Judaism, the Galatians had lost their blessing and joy
• "Torn out your eyes" is a hyperbole indicating the Galatians willingness, for Paul's benefit, to part with that which was most precious to them
• The same verb for "torn out" is used of digging through a roof in Mark
• Paul implies that under the influence of Judaizers, the Galatians have changed their attitude toward him
• Telling the truth sometimes results in loss of friends

Application:

• Are you overwhelmed by Satan?
• Have you lost your blessing and joy?
• Have you lost friends because of the truth?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV



Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible