12 I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong.
13 But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time;
14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them.
18 But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—
20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
Referenced Scripture:
Matthew 10:40
Quotes:
“The one they had received as God’s angel, as God’s Son, they now regarded as their enemy! Why? Simply because he had been telling them some painful home truths, rebuking them, scolding them, expostulating with them for deserting the gospel of grace and turning back again to bondage.” (John R. W. Stott)
“He [Paul] could not understand how they could have been taught the gospel so well, believed it so genuinely, and then appeared to have forsaken it so quickly.” (Dr. John MacArthur)
“The difference between Paul and the false teachers should now be clear. The false teachers were seeking themselves to dominate the Galatians; Paul longed that Christ be formed in them. They had a selfish eye to their own prestige and position; Paul was prepared to sacrifice himself for them, to be in travail until Christ was formed in them.” (John R. W. Stott)