SLAVERY OR FREEDOM?
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that I am forgiven, redeemed, and accepted because of your grace. Help me to live like the person you have called me to be.
Read GALATIANS 4:8–20
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and 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. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:9 Or principles
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In what ways do you see your pastor(s) encouraging Christ to be formed in the members of your congregation? In what ways do you encourage those you mentor?Slavery or freedom? Which would you prefer? Strangely, like these young Galatian believers, we sometimes seem to prefer the false security of keeping rules (even the rules of others) and dependence on our own efforts to get things right. In doing so, we turn away from our freedom in Christ—and may influence others to do the same.
Pastor Paul is tearing his hair out with frustration and grief (vv. 12, 19)! The young believers had welcomed him as though he were Christ himself (v. 14), caring for him through illness as he preached the gospel to them (vv. 13, 15). But now, they treat him as the enemy (v. 16). Watch out, Paul warns. Zeal is all very well, but these intruders are self-seeking (v. 17), wanting to turn the believers back to the ‘weak and miserable forces’ of religious laws, away from dependence on Christ (v. 9). Have Paul’s preaching and teaching been a waste of time (v. 11)?
Paul likens his longing to see Christ (not himself) formed in them to the anguish of childbirth (v. 19). It would be easier to bring warm words of commendation to the young Galatian Christians, but his love for them (‘my dear children’) requires a different tone (vv. 19, 20). The labor of the gospel can be painful.
Apply
Are there areas where you are tempted to turn away from Christ?
Closing prayer
Thank you, Lord God, for the unimaginable privilege of knowing you. Help me to keep from turning from you in any thought and deed. Keep me focused on you alone.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.