Sermon Xtra - A Bodily Ailment

From time to time, we will provide an extra teaching or insight into a previous week's text that either did not apply to the over-all thrust of a sermon or we did not have time to cover.  Hopefully these Sermon Extras will help clarify possible questions raised when reading a text that we do not answer in a weekend sermon.

 

While there has been much discussion in scholarly circles regarding the nature of several of Paul's afflictions, much of the discussion has drawn from evidence from the verses in this past week's text to draw conclusions.  The most basic theories are as follows:

• Paul had contracted Malaria: This theory is more based on some geographical assumptions regarding Paul's visit to the swampy region of Pamphylia.  Tangential evidence for this theory is the departure of John Mark from Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.  Again, it is theorized that the tough conditions of moving from region to region with unfamiliar hazards would have shocked the young man and he was thus, pushed over the edge when Paul might have contracted Malaria.  Much of this theory requires leaps of assumption...but could be true, nonetheless.

• Paul suffered from Epilepsy: This theory is based upon Paul's words "you did not scorn" which can also be translated "you did not spit out".  In Paul's day, epilepsy was considered a demonic affliction and one of the ways to "treat" such an affliction was to spit at the person that was supposedly demonized (gross, I know).  When Paul is noting that they did him the courtesy of not scorning him, the idea is that they put up with seizures.  As in most cases in the Bible, it's shady to pin a theory on one word that has a dual meaning...so while this could have been the case, it's hardly an air tight theory.

• Paul suffered from Ophthalmia: Contextually, this is probably the most popular theory because of the evidence within the Galatians text itself.  Vere 14 mentions that the Galatians would have "gouged out your eyes and given them to me".  While not a sure-thing, a non-figurative reading would seem probable and would indicate something was wrong with Paul's eyesight.  Further evidence is found in chapter 6, verse 11 where Paul mentions having written with such large letters (presumably because he could not see smaller letter, due to his diminished vision).  Under this theory, Paul's condition would have apparently continued in some way after he left the Galatian region up until the time he wrote this letter.  Again, one cannot be 100% sure about this or any of the above, but these are the primary theories as to what Paul was speaking of when talking of a bodily ailment.

Don't forget Paul's larger point.  Paul was reminding the Galatians about how nothing in his appearance or eloquence would have caused them to listen to him and receive the truth of the Gospel.  Paul was essentially asking them to recall how something (actually someone) bigger than them or Paul was at work in their hearts.  It was the Holy Spirit that allowed them to both receive Paul as a human being and receive the Gospel as the message of redemption for their souls. 

Do you recall how the Holy Spirit has worked and spoken to you in spite of how the message was proclaimed or who proclaimed it?  This is Paul’s point!  The Holy Spirit worked in spite of Paul’s appearance and the fact that he was apparently a burden to the Galatians.