1. Galatians 3:4 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does Paul mean when he says that the Galatians' suffering was in vain?

Galatians 3:4 (ESV)

4 Did you suffer so many things in vain if indeed it was in vain?

Paul is not saying that the Galatians’ suffering (or experience in other translations) was in vain. Instead, he is warning them in order to provoke repentance. If they move from faith in Christ to faith in Christ and works of the law, then their faith is futile and they will not enjoy the salvation that Jesus brings. All their suffering (or experience) will have been for nothing.1