Philip Dampier's Blog

“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Gal. 4:15) Paul brought the Galatians the good news of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. They received that good news and acted upon it. They believed the gospel and they obeyed from the heart that gospel and they…

“What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.” (Gal. 4:15) Something happened when Paul preached and taught. Those who heard the message received a blessing. They were aware that…

This short novel went on sale today at all eBook stores. The paperback will be ready in a week or so. This was the most fun book to write for me and I hope it brings a smile to you. The price of the eBook is $1.49 and the paperback…

“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.”  (Gal. 4:14) Paul has had some tough words for the Galatians but here we see him softening up his rhetoric as remembers how…

“You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,” (Gal. 4:13) What does Paul mean it was because of an ailment? The best answer is that due to this bodily affliction Paul had to extend his stay in that part of…

“Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.” (Gal. 4:12) Is Paul feeling a sense of estrangement from the churches he began in Galatia? Is he afraid that his harsh words may make it worse? After all,…

“I am afraid that I may have labored over you in vain.” (Gal. 4:11) From this statement, we know that Paul put a lot into his ministry to the saints in Galatia. He describes the ministry as labor. We don’t really know why Paul chose this word to describe his…

“You observe days and months and seasons and years!” (Gal. 4:10) We know that none of these observations are a part of the gospel. They are add-ons brought by the Jewish teachers who are insisting that Christians take on a Jewish cultural look. Be a Christian they say but also…

“But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” (Gal. 4:9) Formerly they did not know God but now…

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.” (Gal. 4:8) Here Paul is addressing the Gentiles in the Galatian churches. Formerly refers to before they learned of Christ and so before they obeyed the gospel preached by Paul. They knew…