Galatians 4:14

And my trial which was in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
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Ambrosiaster

AD 400
The ailment of the apostle was a temptation to the Galatians. But they were found constant, not doubting as to his faith. For they could have stumbled and said, “What virtue or hope is there in this faith when its minister is so humiliated?” But when he had inspired their minds with future hopes, they did not fear present death for the sake of Christ’s name…. This caused them later to blush, because after these laudable acts they became again entrapped so as to deserve reproach. –.

Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not. Erasmus takes temptation in the active sense, viz, as though Paul had tempted the Galatians by his unattractive presence and speech. But it is better to take it passively, as being identical with the object of temptation. The meaning then is: You did not despise me in my weakness and my abject condition, which had the effect of making me a temptation to you, but you received me as an angel, nay, as Christ Himself. [Note.—The Vulgate is: "And your temptation which was in my flesh."]

Gaius Marius Victorinus

AD 400
The weakness in my body was no obstacle for you, but you received me as an angel of God, that is, as a messenger, a preacher sent from God (for that is an angel of God); and you received me like Christ Jesus, whom I was preaching to you. And so you truly received Christ Jesus, if you received me as an angel of God, in the same way you received Christ Jesus. .

John Chrysostom

AD 407
Do you see the absurdity of receiving him as an angel of God when pursued and persecuted but not receiving him when he commands what is necessary? Homily on Galatians

John Chrysostom

AD 407
What is he saying? “I was persecuted, I was flogged, I underwent many neardeaths in preaching to you, and even so you did not despise me.” For that is the meaning of “you did not scorn or despise me.” Do you perceive his spiritual understanding? For even in the course of his selfdefense he continues to exhort them anew, showing what he has suffered on their account.

John Chrysostom

AD 407
Was it not then absurd in them to receive him as an Angel of God, when he was persecuted and driven about, and then not to receive him when pressing on them what was fitting?

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation - 2 Peter 1:20

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