In what is (far more than I ever though) one of Paul’s most personal Epistles … GALATIANS reveals the great Apostle’s heart (which is “breaking” over the faithlessness of his people)!
The Galatian Christians are (some of them anyway) drifting dangerously toward the Law of Moses as their standard of operation, leaving behind the far superior Grace of God (as the means of living a pure, godly life).
Today we (again) heart Paul’s human spirit cry: “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” Galatians 4:11, really the Holy Spirit is saying this too, since the Bible is divinely inspired, inerrantly so!
The objective pronouns here in the verse are plural, “you” means (both times) the Galatians “en masse” (as a group). Hopefully not the whole Church body in Galatia, but it sure looks like a lot of them!
Paul, frankly, is worried!
“I am afraid of you”
In Greek, “Phobeomai su.”
Paul has developed (literally) a “phobia” concerning the Galatians’ spiritual wellbeing! The preposition “of” has been supplied by the King James translators here, for clarity. The “you” is both plural and “accusative.” It is the direct object of the verb “I fear.” Because “phoboumai” here is a 1st person singular verb.
Paul is fearful (beside himself) over the condition these Galatian converts have adopted for themselves. As potentially “new” disciples of Moses, of the sect of so-called Christians (but not really so) back in Jerusalem. Something like this, “I am fearful for you,” Paul is saying, with tears in his eyes I suspect.
Then the “hammer” drops!
I am fearful of (for) you … “lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”
Wow!
“To bestow labour” translates the Greek verb “kopiao.” (Still 1st person singular, active voice.) This is the most intense word in the Greek language for “work.” HARD WORK! Even TOIL! We would say in the South, “working your fingers to the bones!”
No telling the hours Paul has invested in those Galatians churches!
And the grief, suffering, hardships!
Like being stoned to death (or nearly so) in Lystra! You can read about it in Acts 14. Verse 9 there is specific: “And there came thither (to Lystra, a Galatian city) certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”
What dedication Paul had, what loyalty to Jesus and to the Galatians!
But … Paul is now wondering if the Galatians really had ever been saved! Again: “Lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”
The prepositional phrase “in vain” is “eike” in Greek, meaning “without purpose.” It is translated once in our New Testament “without a cause.” In Matthew 5:22, Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Useless, Paul’s Galatian ministry?
Wow!
Paul is a champion for the Grace of God!
A real defender of the Gospel of Grace!
And seemingly a valid opponent of the Law of Moses as an expedient/catalyst of genuine salvation! (Only Jesus saves!)
Addressing the Galatians, the (once considered) dear people of God … Paul’s heart is breaking as he says (writes) it: “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”
Saved, by Grace!
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
By the way, “upon you,” as in “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed UPON YOU labour in vain,” is in Greek “eis su.” Literally “into you!” Paul apparently feels he has so fiercely labored for the Galatian Churches’ welfare that he has actually worked his way “into” their hearts!
No wonder he is so broken over their lapse!
God, give us again Pastors who care that much!