Whose Flesh? What Temptation? (Galatians 4.13-14)

Abstract

This article investigates the phrases 'weakness of the flesh' and 'temptation in my flesh' in Gal. 4.13-14. After evaluating the prevailing illness and persecution inter pretations, this article concludes that these phrases refer neither to illness nor to persecution. Instead, 'weakness of the flesh' refers to the Galatians' pre-gospel con dition. This condition and not illness or persecution caused Paul to evangelize them. When he came to them with his gospel, Paul's circumcised flesh provided a tempta tion for them to reject and despise him, as well as his message about Jesus Christ. However, they ignored his circumcision and received the gospel Paul announced. Paul summons them to return to their original attitude toward circumcision since circumcision is of no consequence for the gospel. If they ignore circumcision, there is no reason the Galatians should continue in their apostasy to paganism but should rather return to their original commitment to Paul and his gospel.