Galatians 3:4

4 Have you suffered so much for nothing? If that's the way you think, your suffering certainly will have been for nothing!

Galatians 3:4 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 3:4

Have ye suffered so many things in vain?
&c.] These Galatians had suffered great reproach, many afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel, as all that embrace it must expect to do; and which to them that persevere in the faith of the Gospel will not be in vain, they will be followed with eternal life and glory; not that these things are meritorious of such happiness, or deserve such a reward; the reward of them is not of debt, but of grace. But, if such who have made a profession, and have suffered for it, should after all relinquish it, their sufferings for it are in vain; they will come short of that glory which is promised to them that suffer for righteousness sake: and this is another aggravation of the folly of these persons, that they should suffer so much persecution for the Gospel, which, if not true, they must have suffered in vain, and might as well have avoided it; and, if true, by relinquishing it not only sustain a great loss, but bring great hurt and damage to themselves:

if it be yet in vain;
by which words the apostle does, as it were, correct himself, and expresses his hope of them, that they would see their mistake, revoke their error, and abide by the truth of the Gospel.

Galatians 3:4 In-Context

2 I want to know from you just this one thing: did you receive the Spirit by legalistic observance of Torah commands or by trusting in what you heard and being faithful to it?

3 Are you that stupid? Having begun with the Spirit's power, do you think you can reach the goal under your own power?

4 Have you suffered so much for nothing? If that's the way you think, your suffering certainly will have been for nothing!

5 What about God, who supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you - does he do it because of your legalistic observance of Torah commands or because you trust in what you heard and are faithful to it?

6 It was the same with Avraham: "He trusted in God and was faithful to him, and that was credited to his account as righteousness."b