Paul has become a veritable “question box!”

And he’s at it again today, in our Bible Study Lesson!

“Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.” Galatians 3:4

Yes, this particular question to the Galatian Christians does teach us something, although indirectly.

They, as a group, had apparently “suffered” (“pascho” in Greek, meaning “to hurt, endure sorrow” … the verb used of Jesus’ Suffering on Calvary) numerous things … for the sake of Christ, for the cause of the Gospel!

Remember, the Roman Province of Galatia was a “rough” area in which to live. (Maybe a little like the old, wild American West in pioneer days!) Even generally speaking “hardships” in life were normal, for everyone. And thus “persecution” for the saints … a clear and present reality!

Paul even suffered in some sense when he was in Galatia preaching. “Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.” Galatians 4:13, an upcoming Lesson, Lord willing. What that “infirmity” was, no one knows for sure.

Galatian Brethren … “Have ye suffered so many things in vain?”

“Vain” means “empty,” or better yet, “without purpose” … in Greek “eike.”

Have you wasted all that pain?

Trials for Jesus’ Sake, for which (if you stay faithful) you will be richly rewarded! (Jesus in Mark 10:29-30 … “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Wow!)

Or Paul to Timothy, one short line: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” 2 Timothy 2:12

In all four cities of Galatia; Antioch (of Pisidia to distinguish it from Antioch in Syria) and Iconium and Lystra and Derbe … Paul and his company were brutally treated! For preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God … freely offered to lost sinners!

Now we apparently have learned … the Galatian Believers suffered as well. Maybe even after Paul’s departure.

You can read much of this (in more detail) in Acts chapters 13 and 14. (Paul “found” Timothy in Lystra, for example.)

Oh, today’s verse again … “Have ye suffered so many things in vain?”

Are you Galatians willing to just throw it all away, all those tests you passed, all that “gold, silver and precious stone” that you have accrued (and will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ)?

Throw it away?

Make it vain?

By abdicating from the Gospel of Grace!

And returning to some false Gospel?

What a thought!

More tomorrow, the Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, IF WE FAINT NOT.” Galatians 6:9, written to these very same Christians, the Galatians! And “fainting” certainly includes “leaving the faith!” Trading Jesus for Moses!