Galatians 4:12-14 ESV
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

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12 Mga kapatid, nakikiusap ako sa inyo, kayo'y maging kagaya ko, sapagkat ako'y naging katulad din ninyo. Wala kayong ginawang masama sa akin. 13 Nalalaman ninyo na dahil sa karamdaman ng katawan ay una kong ipinangaral sa inyo ang ebanghelyo. 14 Bagaman ang aking kalagayan ay naging isang pagsubok sa inyo, hindi ninyo ako hinamak o kinasuklaman kundi tinanggap na gaya sa isang anghel ng Diyos, gaya ni Cristo Jesus.

LIKE AN ANGEL OF GOD.
Paul was sick when he first met the Galatians. Was it a chronic illness? . In 2 Cor 12, he describes "thorn in the flesh" allowed by God to keep him from becoming conceited. This perhaps was a form of physical illness. Some even suggested that it was a visual impairment. Or, perhaps it was simply a disease that came and then went away. We really don't know.

At any rate, he referred his condition as a trial or burden for the Galatians. Perhaps he either needed an urgent medical care from them or he was just an annoyance. Again, we have no idea. Certainly, it made him look weak in the eyes of the Galatians. It’s easy for people to associate illnes with weakness. Or, they may assumed illness to be the punishment of God or the gods for great wrongdoing. A mark of a person’s rejection from the gods.

Despite of this, they received Paul as if he was an angel or Christ Himself. They valued his message about faith in Jesus so that they refused to allow his illness to keep them from honoring him. If the messenger can be trusted, the message is received. Definitely, Paul’s life had exuded the beauty of Christ. Just a note. Paul and Barnabas were mistaken to be gods when they in Lystra [see Acts 14:11-13]

To them, Paul had no ambiguity in declaring the gospel, either by his lips or life. He strongly said, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”[Gal 1:8,9]

He was so sure that his message is consistent to his manner. He testified before the Thessalonians, saying, “our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”[1 Thess 1:5] Even to the Corinthians, he said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”[1 Cor 11:1]

How about us? Are our words consistent with our walk? Our talks with our testimonies? Our conduct with our claims? How do people perceive us when we talk with them? As an angel of God or a fallen angel?

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