Galatians 4:12 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

‘I plead with you, brothers, be as I, for I as you.'

We could possibly translate ‘I am as you were.' (As we have shown in the translation there is no verb in the last phrase in the Greek). Then Paul is saying ‘be like me because I am as you were when you were first converted.' In other words, ‘come back to what you were, becoming again like me'. When Paul went to them he did not claim superiority or seek to bring them under the Law. He proclaimed the true Gospel which put them both on equal standing in Christ.

Alternately he is appealing on a more personal note ‘I am as you are', that is, ‘like you I am only a weak and frail man, fully aware of your weaknesses'. Or ‘I became as you were' meaning ‘I, though once a Jew, was willing to become like you Gentiles for your sakes', meaning that they should copy him, as once he copied them.

Whichever way we translate it, the appeal is for them to become like Him, walking again in the freedom of Christ.

‘You did me no wrong.'

He assures them he has nothing against them as regards their treatment of Him. Indeed he remembers their kindness with affection.

Galatians 4:12

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.