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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 3:4 Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/3-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/48_Gal_03_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 3:4 - Faith and Belief" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/3-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/3-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/3-3.htm" title="Galatians 3:3">◄</a> Galatians 3:4 <a href="/galatians/3-5.htm" title="Galatians 3:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain, if indeed also in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if <i>it be</i> yet in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed <i>it was</i> in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain— if indeed it was in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things for nothing—if indeed it was for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Have you suffered so many things <i>and</i> experienced so much all for nothing—if indeed it was all for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Did you experience so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Have you gone through all of this for nothing? Is it all really for nothing? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Did you suffer so much for nothing? [I doubt] that it was for nothing!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Did you suffer so much for nothing? (If it really was for nothing!) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Have you suffered so many things for nothing?--if indeed it was for nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it is yet in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Have you endured such sufferings to no purpose--if indeed it has been to no purpose?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />So many things you suffered in vain! If, indeed, even in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Did you suffer so many things in vain, if indeed also in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> so many things did ye suffer in vain! if, indeed, even in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Suffered ye so many things in vain? if yet also in vain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Have you been suffering so much without a reason? If so, then it is in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Did you experience so many things in vain?—if indeed it was in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Have you believed all these things at random? I hope that it is to no purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Have you endured all these things for nothing? But oh, that it were for nothing!<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Have you suffered so many things in vain? if, indeed, it be in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Have you suffered so many things in vain? if indeed in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />have you suffered so many things in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Have you endured such sufferings to no purpose--if indeed it has been to no purpose?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if, indeed, <i>it be</i> even in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />have ye suffered so many <i>things</i> in vain? if indeed in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/3-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=453" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Faith and Belief</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3958.htm" title="3958: epathete (V-AIA-2P) -- I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer. ">Have you suffered</a> <a href="/greek/5118.htm" title="5118: tosauta (DPro-ANP) -- So great, so large, so long, so many. From tosos and houtos; so vast as this, i.e. Such.">so much</a> <a href="/greek/1500.htm" title="1500: eikē (Adv) -- Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.">for nothing,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/1065.htm" title="1065: ge (Prtcl) -- A primary particle of emphasis or qualification.">it really was</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1500.htm" title="1500: eikē (Adv) -- Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.">for nothing?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">5</span>Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Philippians 3:8</a></span><br />More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-32.htm">Hebrews 10:32-36</a></span><br />Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. / Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. / You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-5.htm">2 Corinthians 1:5-7</a></span><br />For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. / If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. / And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-12.htm">1 Peter 4:12-13</a></span><br />Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17-18</a></span><br />And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. / I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-12.htm">2 Timothy 3:12</a></span><br />Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/3-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:3-4</a></span><br />so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. / Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">2 Corinthians 4:17</a></span><br />For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a></span><br />Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11-12</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">1 Peter 1:6-7</a></span><br />In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-5</a></span><br />Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">2 Corinthians 11:23-28</a></span><br />Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. / Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Acts 14:22</a></span><br />strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-58.htm">1 Corinthians 15:58</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Have you suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.</p><p class="hdg">ye.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Ezekiel 18:24</a></b></br> But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, <i>and</i> doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked <i>man</i> doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/6-4.htm">Hebrews 6:4-6</a></b></br> For <i>it is</i> impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/10-32.htm">Hebrews 10:32-39</a></b></br> But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; … </p><p class="hdg">so many.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/9-22.htm">Endured</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">Experience</a> <a href="/galatians/1-12.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/galatians/2-17.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/galatians/1-7.htm">Really</a> <a href="/galatians/1-4.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-25.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-7.htm">Sufferings</a> <a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Vain</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-14.htm">Endured</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-10.htm">Experience</a> <a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/galatians/6-13.htm">Really</a> <a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm">Sufferings</a> <a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/galatians/4-11.htm">Vain</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Those who believe are justified,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-9.htm">and blessed with Abraham.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">And this he shows by many reasons.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">The purpose of the Law</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">You are sons of God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/galatians/3.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Have you suffered</b><br />The Greek word for "suffered" here is "ἐπάθετε" (epathete), which can mean to experience or endure something, often with a connotation of pain or hardship. In the context of the early Christian church, suffering was a common experience due to persecution. The Galatians, having embraced the Gospel, likely faced social ostracism, economic hardship, or even physical persecution. This phrase calls to mind the trials faced by early Christians, who were often marginalized and oppressed for their faith. It serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the endurance required to follow Christ.<p><b>so much</b><br />The phrase "so much" emphasizes the extent and intensity of the suffering endured by the Galatians. It suggests that their experiences were not trivial or minor but significant and profound. This highlights the depth of their commitment and the seriousness of the challenges they faced. Historically, the early church faced numerous trials, from Roman persecution to internal conflicts, and this phrase captures the magnitude of those struggles.<p><b>for nothing</b><br />The Greek word "εἰκῇ" (eikē) means "in vain" or "without purpose." Paul is questioning whether the Galatians' suffering was pointless, urging them to consider the value and purpose of their trials. This reflects a broader biblical theme that suffering for Christ is never in vain, as it produces perseverance, character, and hope (<a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-5</a>). The rhetorical question challenges the Galatians to reflect on their faith journey and the ultimate purpose of their trials.<p><b>if it really was for nothing</b><br />This phrase introduces a conditional element, suggesting that there is still hope that their suffering was not in vain. Paul is encouraging the Galatians to remain steadfast in their faith, implying that their endurance and faithfulness have eternal significance. Theologically, this reflects the Christian belief in the redemptive power of suffering and the assurance that God works all things for the good of those who love Him (<a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a>). It serves as a call to perseverance, reminding believers that their struggles have meaning and purpose in God's divine plan.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Suffered so many things.</span>--The Galatians, like other churches, were subjected to much persecution when first they embraced Christianity. The persecutors were probably their own Jewish countrymen, whose jealousy and rage they had braved in the name of the gospel as preached by St. Paul. Now they were abandoning that very gospel for the principles of those by whom they had been persecuted. Conduct could not be more fickle and "foolish."<p><span class= "bld">If it be yet in vain.</span>--<span class= "ital">If it be indeed in vain.</span> The Apostle cannot quite bring himself to believe that it is, and he puts in this delicate qualification parenthetically, to show the Galatians that, much as appearances may be against them, he will not give up the hope that a lingering spark of their first joyous conviction, in the strength of which they had undergone persecution, yet remained.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Have ye suffered so many things in vain?</span> if it be yet in vain (<span class="greek">τοσαῦτα ἐπάθετε</span> <span class="greek">εἰκῆ εἴγε καὶ εἰκῆ</span>); <span class="accented">did ye suffer all those troubles for nought</span>? <span class="accented">if indeed really for nought.</span> The ambiguity of <span class="greek">τοσαῦτα</span>, which means either "so many" or "so great," is preserved by the rendering <span class="accented">all those.</span> The Revisers put <span class="accented">so many</span> in the text, and "or <span class="accented">so great"</span> in the margin. In respect to <span class="greek">ἐπάθετε</span>, the leading of the context in which the verse is embedded might incline us to take the verb in the sense in which it frequently occurs in Greek writers, that of being subjects of such and such treatment, good as well as bad; as, for example, in Josephus, 'Ant.,' 3:15, 1, <span class="greek">Ὅσα παθόντες ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ</span> <span class="greek">πηλικῶν εὐεργσιῶν μεταλαβόντες</span>, "What treatment having received from him [<span class="accented">sc</span>. God], and what huge benefits having partaken of" - the character of the treatment being sufficiently indicated by the context as being that of kindness. But it is a fatal objection to this view of the passage that, in the forty passages or more in which the verb <span class="greek">πάσχω</span> is used in the New Testament, it never is used of good treatment, but always of bad; and so also always in the Septuagint. We are, therefore, shut up to the sense of "suffering ills," and must endeavour to find, if we can, some circumstances marking the troubles referred to which might serve to explain the seemingly abrupt mention of them here. And the probable explanation is this: those sufferings were brought upon the Galatian converts, not only through the influence of Jews, but also in consequence of the bitter enmity with which the Jews regarded St. Paul, as bringing converts over from among the Gentiles to the service of the one true God apart from any regard to the ceremonial Law of Moses. That Jews in general did thus regard St. Paul is shown by the suspicion which even Christian Jews felt towards him (<a href="/acts/21-21.htm">Acts 21:21</a>). For this no doubt, it was that the Jews in Asia Minor persecuted him from city to city as they did, their animosity against him extending itself also to these who had attached themselves to him as his disciples. That it did extend itself to his disciples as such appears, as from the nature of the case, so also from <a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Acts 14:22</a>, "That through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God;" as also it is evinced by the strongly indignant tone in which he speaks of the persecuting Jews in his two Epistles to the Thessalonians, written near the very time to which he here alludes (<a href="/1_thessalonians/2-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:14-16</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9</a>) - this indignation being best accounted for by the supposition that it was roused by his sympathy with the similarly originated sufferings of the Macedonian brethren to whom he was writing. That the troubles here referred to emanated from the hostility of Jewish legalists may be further gathered from <a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Galatians 5:11</a>; <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">Galatians 6:12</a> (on which see Exposition). Those Jewish legalists hated both St. Paul and his converts, because they alike walked in "the Spirit," that is, in the element of Christian spirituality emancipated from the bondage of the Law, and not in "the flesh" of Mosaic ceremonialism. Hence it is that the mention in ver. 3 of the Galatian brethren having "begun with the Spirit," leads him on to the thought of the sufferings which just on that very account had been brought upon them. "For nought." This adverb <span class="greek">εἰκῆ</span> sometimes means, prospectively, "to no good," as in <a href="/galatians/4-11.htm">Galatians 4:11</a>, "bestowed labour upon you <span class="accented">in vain</span>," and probably in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-2.htm">1 Corinthians 15:2</a>; sometimes, retrospectively, "for no just cause," as in <a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">Colossians 2:18</a>, "vainly puffed up." The English phrase, "for nought," has just a similar ambiguity. The apostle may, therefore, mean either this - Did ye suffer all these troubles to reap after all no benefit from your suffering them, forfeiting as you do (<a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4</a>) the reward which you might else have expected from the great Retributor (<a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7</a>) through your forsaking that ground of faith on which ye then stood, if indeed ye have forsaken it? or this - Did ye provoke all that persecution without just cause? - if, indeed, there was no just cause as ye seem now to think. According to the former view, the Galatians were now nullifying the benefit which might have accrued to them from their former endurance of persecution; according to the latter, they were now stultifying their former conduct in provoking these persecutions. The first seems somewhat the easiest. <span class="greek">Αἴ γε</span>, as in <a href="/colossians/1-23.htm">Colossians 1:23</a>. The concluding clause has been here regarded as a reaching forth of the apostle's soul towards the hope that better thoughts might yet prevail with the Galatian waverers, so that they would not lose the reward of having suffered for Christ - a hope which he thus glances at, if so be he might thus lure them to its realization. But another view of the words has commended itself to not a few eminent critics, namely, that the apostle glances at the darker prospect; as if he had said, "If it be, indeed, merely for nought, and not for far worse than that! By falling away from the gospel, ye not only lose the crown of confessorship: ye forfeit also your hope of your heavenly inheritance" (cf. <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4</a>). The conjunction <span class="greek">καὶ</span> is, confessedly, sometimes almost equivalent to "merely," "only," as <span class="accented">e.g.</span> in Homer, 'Odyssey,' 1:58, <span class="greek">Ἱέμενος καὶ καπνὸν ἀποθρώσκοντα</span> <span class="greek">νοῆσαι ῆς γαίης</span>, "Longing if only but to see the smoke leaping upward from his native land." But in the present case <span class="greek">εἴ γε</span> does not so readily suggest the last proposed suppletion of thought as it does the other. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/3-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Have you suffered</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπάθετε</span> <span class="translit">(epathete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3958.htm">Strong's 3958: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">so much</span><br /><span class="grk">τοσαῦτα</span> <span class="translit">(tosauta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5118.htm">Strong's 5118: </a> </span><span class="str2">So great, so large, so long, so many. From tosos and houtos; so vast as this, i.e. Such.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for nothing,</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰκῇ</span> <span class="translit">(eikē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1500.htm">Strong's 1500: </a> </span><span class="str2">Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">εἴ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it really was</span><br /><span class="grk">γε</span> <span class="translit">(ge)</span><br /><span class="parse">Particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1065.htm">Strong's 1065: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle of emphasis or qualification.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for nothing?</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰκῇ</span> <span class="translit">(eikē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1500.htm">Strong's 1500: </a> </span><span class="str2">Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/3-4.htm">Galatians 3:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/3-4.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 3:4 Did you suffer so many things (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/3-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 3:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 3:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/3-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 3:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 3:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>