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"My little children, for whom I labour..."

Text: Galatians 4:19

MIXED IMAGERY

The apostle Paul often used imagery in his writings. Sometimes he would use “mixed imagery”. The following text is an example. Such texts must be carefully studied.

My little children, for whom I labour in birth again
until Christ is formed in you,
I would like to be present with you now and to change
my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Galatians 4:19-20

1. “My little children”

a) Paul was upset with the Galatians.

b) Nevertheless he still regarded them as his “little children”.

2. “For whom I labour in birth again”

a) This is of course biologically impossible.

b) They were “little children” and yet Paul spoke about being in “labour in birth again”.

3. “Until Christ is formed in you”

a) Was Christ formed in them at all?

b) Would there be a miscarriage?

c) Would there be a stillbirth?

d) Would the work put in be abortive after all?

4. “I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone”

a) Paul was not there in Galatia.

b) His tone was almost strident.

c) He would have loved to change his tone of speaking.

d) But for the moment… a sense of exasperation was felt.

5. “I have doubts about you”

a) Doubts about their relationship with him.

b) Doubts about their salvation.

c) Doubts about their spiritual understanding.

d) Doubts about their future.