Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1: 10)

In becoming a servant of Christ Paul has separated himself from family, friends, and colleagues. He had once been esteemed by those held in highest esteem. Since his sudden transformation on the Damascus road all those relationships had been strained or broken.

This sentence does not contribute much to - it even seems to distract from - the argument being developed.

But if instead of argument I read for the feeling of the writer, I may perceive the pain of separation that still troubles Paul. When he chose Christ, he was rejected by many others. Now he feels the Galatians are rejecting him and the true Christ.

To fully embrace our relationship with Jesus is, in one way or another, to change the nature of other relationships.

No one has been more zealous than Paul in claiming a unique relationship with Jesus. He would not give it up for anything. But even the love of Jesus does not undo every regret. Even with Jesus at our side, we may miss others with whom we once walked.