Ministry of Grace Church

 

Galatians 3:4

⁴Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

Truth to Learn

Suffering for having saving faith in Jesus Christ is honorable.

Behind the Words

Before getting into an explanation of this verse we need to look at one word. The word translated “suffered” is a form of the Greek word “paskō” from which we get our English word, passion. It means “to be affected by something from without, to be acted upon, to undergo an experience.” This word can be used to express a good experience or a painful one, although in the New Testament it is most often used as a reference to a painful experience. For example, the writer of Hebrews used this word when talking about the suffering of our Lord.

Hebrews 2:9 ⁹But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Now, the question we have to ask ourselves is whether Paul is referring to good experiences or painful experiences with his use of this word in the current verse. Although there is some disagreement among Biblical scholars regarding Paul’s intent with this word, I believe that he is referring to painful suffering.

Meaning Explained

The Galatians, like many Christians in the first century of the church, suffered persecution because of their adherence to faith in Christ and much of this persecution came at the hands of unbelieving Jews. In Acts chapter 14 we read about the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in the regions of Galatia (Iconium, Lystra, & Derbe) and how the Jews stirred up such persecution against the Gospel that they even stoned Paul.

Acts 14:19 ¹⁹Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

From the earliest days of the church it has been considered honorable to suffer for the cause of Christ as experienced by Peter and several other apostles who were imprisoned and beaten for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ:

Acts 5:41 ⁴¹So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Paul’s point to these Galatian Christians is that if they suffered so much at the hands of Jews because of their simple faith in the sacrificial death of Christ, then it was in vain if they now embrace the legalism of the Jews. If they had embraced these legalistic practices in the beginning then the Jews wouldn’t have persecuted them, but they also wouldn’t have been saved!

So What?

Are you suffering for your faith in Jesus Christ? If so, then rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer for Him. After all, He suffered even more for you!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.