“And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”
Even though my condition 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. — the Galatians' response to Paul's infirmity was extraordinary grace: rather than despising ('exoutheneo' — count as nothing) his weakness, they welcomed him ('dechomai' — received, accepted) as a messenger or even as Christ, a reception that testified to their openness to his gospel.
Church Fathers on Galatians 4:14
“But you know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel unto you the first time. And that which was a temptation in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected.” Not to have injured one is indeed no great thing, for no man whatever would choose to hurt wantonly and without object to annoy another who had never injured him. But for you, not only have you not injured me, but you have shown me great and inexpressible kindness, and it is impossible that one who…
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