Galatians 4:14

My temptation. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “your temptation.” This would mean that Paul’s infirmities were a temptation to the Galatians to reject him. The context tends to favor this reading, as does also Paul’s habitual attitude toward suffering (see 2 Cor. 4:8-11; 12:9, 10). The reading “my temptation” would reflect a tendency on Paul’s part to cease laboring because of his bodily “infirmity,” whatever it was.

Despised not, nor rejected. Paul’s affliction might have given the Galatians an excuse for treating him with contempt. In ancient times an affliction was commonly considered a direct punishment from God for some gross sin (cf. Acts 28:4). It would have been natural for the Galatians to conclude that Paul had offended the gods, and to regard his message as of little value. But they did not do so. Their response, under circumstances that could conceivably have led them to turn against him, had been wholeheartedly favorable. What reason — personal or otherwise — could they possibly have for turning against Paul now? Their former conduct testified against their present attitude.

As Christ Jesus. They could not have accorded Paul more favorable treatment. Their gracious hospitality had left nothing to be desired.