Has Paul Therefore Become Your Enemy?

"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and change my tone; for I have my doubts about you."

(Galatians 4:16-20)

"You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel 

to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel (or messenger) of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed?" (Galatians 4:13-15)

It appears that the Galatians willingly received Paul's message of the cross of Jesus Christ. It was when they started to pay a price for it, themselves "being crucified with Christ" (2:20) that they were tempted to be "made perfect by the flesh". Paul discusses Israel's experience with the law, which kept them under guard "till the Seed should come", but I am a Gentile who received Christ, having never been under the law. The Gentile's calling is to allow God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to separate them from the "wisdom" of this world. As we understand, Paul was sent to the Gentiles to advance the Way through them. As you allow Jesus Christ to set you apart from that "wisdom", those who remain attached to it will gradually separate themselves from you! The requirement of His calling had become more difficult than the blessing of hearing only! Yet, we must be doers of His words not hearers only, deceiving ourselves with activities that won't purify.

"Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. For our (Paul and those who follow his example) citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING BY WHICH He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:17-21)