Galatians 4:17-18 Seek to Bring Back Those Who Have Strayed, so that You may Present Them to Christ in Purity

Galatians 4:17-18 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.

As in Paul’s day, the spiritual war wages. The powers of darkness rage against the powers of God, seeking to hold men in bondage to sin. The Judaizers (the legalists) were seeking with great zeal for the Galatians to follow their teachings and be in their number. They did this, as Paul reveals, out of self-seeking motives. They were not proselytizing for the glory of God, but rather for their own glory (even though they thought they were doing so for the glory of God, no doubt). They, like the Pharisees and scribes, were willing to “travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte.” They had come all the way to Galatia. However, “when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Matthew 23:15). They were the cause of stumbling blocks to “little ones who believe” (or seem to believe) in Christ (Matthew 18:6-7), and so as Christ pronounced “woe” upon them, so Paul pronounces that they are accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).

Their motives were to alienate the Galatians from the true Church. They desired the Galatians to follow their system, which would cut them off from the grace of God and the believing community. If the Judaizers could do this, the Galatians would surely follow them.

Paul’s motives, however, were pure. He desired with them, as he desired for all his churches, with a proper zeal for them. “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin” (2 Corinthians 11:2). He was afraid that they might be deceived and that they had left Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3). Paul would not have this. He was going to seek after them with great jealousy.

Fellow Christians, there are many cults out there who believe they are doing the work of God. They prowl around, disguising themselves even as true disciples of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), possibly even deceiving those whom are in your congregations or those whom you are mentoring in the faith. If such is the case, seek to reconcile them to the true Church and to the teachings of Christ. Be jealous with a godly jealousy. Pray that they may come back. Seek to woo them back with the truth of the gospel; for the glory of God. And do it with gentleness, for “perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape form the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

This next verse is quite unclear translators. The translation in the NASB is above. The ESV translates it similarly: “It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you.” The NIV translates it in a completely different fashion: “It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.” The NLT translates it similarly: “Now it's wonderful if you are eager to do good, and especially when I am not with you.” I am uncertain of which is the correct interpretation—I would be more bound to go with the more literal reading of the NASB and the ESV, and that is from whence my comments above come. However, since the NIV and NLT both translate it in a manner that is consistent with the teaching of Scripture as well, I feel it beneficial to consider the implications that come from their rendering.

The zeal for doing what is good in the sight of God, which the Galatians possessed, is a good thing. In fact, it is a very good sign when Paul is not even with them that they want to do what is pleasing to God. Paul even reminded the Philippians, “My beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Their zeal was good. However, their zeal needed to be in accord with godliness. There zeal had to be from the effectual working of God through His grace; not an attempt to keep the Law. Thus, brothers and sisters, do not hold in contempt one with zeal for God. Rather, be zealous yourself and strive to do what is pleasing to God—but do it in His grace, not an attempt to keep the Law.