Waterloo Hall Page 1

07 October 2001 .

Paul in His letter to the Galatians: 3

Overcoming Disability
13
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached
the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you
did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed
me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15
What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could
have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them
to me. 1
4 13-15
11
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
6 v 11

Although there is a lot of uncertainty about what it was that troubled the health of the
Apostle Paul, there is no doubt at all that, besides the many attacks he endured from
enemies, he did suffer poor health.

Here and there in his writings there are references to it – as indeed here in our letter
this morning – but he did not allow it to stop him from fulfilling his task as apostle to
the gentiles.

He mentions it twice to the Galatian Christians:

• In chapter 4 he refers to his illness and seems to be referring to his eyes.

• In chapter 6 he draws attention to the LARGE LETTERS with which he

autographed the letter.

It is possible – though we cannot prove it – that he suffered from a condition that

affected his sight.

It was because of his ill health that he valued the company of Doctor Luke for many of
his travels – but the good doctor, being the soul of discretion, does not tell us in Acts
what illnesses Paul suffered from. They appear to have been chronic, but flaring up
from time to time – sometimes because of the climate of the places he visited.

We also know that Paul asked God to remove the famous THORN IN THE FLESH.

1The New International Version - Anglicised, (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.) 1984.
1
 Waterloo Hall Page 2
07 October 2001 .
7
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly
great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of
Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away
from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2
2 Cor 12 7~

Once again there is no certainty about what it was – but we can tell clearly that Paul
endured an ongoing condition for which there was no cure – only the all-sufficient
grace of God to enable him to bear it and to go on working – an arduous ministry.

Paul is a striking example of the way in which a Christian copes with and indeed
overcomes his disabilities. It offers no immediate remedy for the difficulty – but a
series of strategies for dealing with it in the power of God.

1. Our faith in Christ enables us to overcome

The Lord does heal – but sometimes he offers us something better “sufficient grace”.
Being able to cope with the “No” of God means we have to lean harder on Him.

Paul shows us that he has accepted that his disability is an opportunity for Christ to
triumph in him.

To be able to see however dimly that He has a purpose in it, and if He has a purpose
in it then we need not fear.

2. Disability does not bar us from serving Jesus

Given the injuries he had suffered and the illnesses he had, it is surprising that he
achieved what he did.

If disability did bar us from service it would be reasonable to ask why a man like Paul
was commissioned with so much – given his poor condition.

No, disability does not bar us from service …

But - it often provides us with an excuse to do so

I can’t do anything for Christian service because ….

2The New International Version - Anglicised, (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.) 1984.
2
 Waterloo Hall Page 3
07 October 2001 .

If only I didn’t have this disability I would offer myself to serve Him…

But - it does limit the kind of work we can do.

But - it may challenge us to a NEW field of service

Whatever it was that Paul suffered – it did not prevent him from obeying His Lord.

He did not make it an excuse – but rather looked for an opportunity!

3. Disability informs our choices about Christian

work

It was illness that brought Paul to Galatia. The details are uncertain – but the fact
remains
13
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel
to you.

We might have expected “Because of illness I didn’t do anything…”

Paul had elsewhere learned that God could heal - he was instrumental in healings
himself – but also that God could provide that sufficient grace that takes a weak
apostle and declares Christ through him.

Either way our fitness to serve Him in a particular way influences the kind of work we
can do.

Paul went to Galatia “because of an illness”

Our difficulties may be God’s way of redirecting us – He delights to bring good out of
weakness.

He uses many different ways to get us on the right path.

Like Paul we should be able to relate our disabilities to God’s plan, and see the
positive opportunities it offers.

3
 Waterloo Hall Page 4
07 October 2001 .

Such an attitude to difficulty has a powerful impact upon unbelievers.

4. Christians do not discriminate against those

with disabilities – but share the burden.

. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me
with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an
angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 What has
happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done
so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 3
Although Paul has had to condemn the Galatians for their errors – in this regard he
heartily commends them

They did not “treat him with contempt or scorn”

Of course everyone should be expected to show understanding and tolerance to

those with disabilities – but in our society it is not so.

For the believer the standard is high.

NO DISCRIMINATION

But in fact it is higher still…

The Galatians respected Paul as a messenger and they came to love him and care
for him

you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus

himself.

Was that over the top?

No – the MESSAGE that he brought and the fact that he brought it in those
circumstances of weakness made them respect him the more!

They saw through the illness the Lord Himself.

They went further, they SHARED his weakness and would have done anything for
him:

3The New International Version - Anglicised, (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.) 1984.
4
 Waterloo Hall Page 5
07 October 2001 .

I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your
eyes and given them to me.

BUT we notice that (in his absence?) they have changed their view of him

What has happened to all your joy?

A right attitude to the weakness of others – especially within the fellowship of the
gospel brings JOY.

Christians were always at the forefront of health work. Caring for the whole
individual.

So when we turn to the end of the letter we see Paul using his pen to draw large
letters to emphasize the point he has been making

HE TURNS HIS DISABILITY TO ADVANTAGE

Not in a morbid way – but directly

11
See what large letters I use as I write to
you with my own hand!
Possibly his writing was poorly formed – certainly his recent injuries would account for
that – and before spectacles he needed big print.

He turns his disability into a BIG STATEMENT