Teks -- Galatians 3:4 (NET)

3:4 Have you suffered so many things for nothing?– if indeed it was for nothing.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Gal 3:4 - Did ye suffer?

Did ye suffer? ( epathetė ).

Second aorist active indicative of paschō , to experience good or ill. But alone, as here, it often means to suffer ill (tosauta , so many things). In North Galatia we have no record of persecutions, but we do have records for South Galatia (Act 14:2, Act 14:5, Act 14:19, Act 14:22).

Robertson: Gal 3:4 - If it be indeed in vain

If it be indeed in vain ( ei ge kai eikēi ).

On eikēi see note on 1Co 15:2; note on Gal 4:11. Paul clings to hope about them with alternative fears.

Vincent: Gal 3:4 - Have ye suffered

Have ye suffered ( ἐπάθετε )

Or, did ye suffer . The exact sense is doubtful. By some it is held that the reference is to sufferings endured by the Galatian Christians either through heathen persecutions or Judaising emissaries. There is, however, no record in this Epistle or elsewhere of the Galatians having suffered special persecutions on account of their Christian profession. Others take the verb in a neutral sense, have ye experienced , or with a definite reference to the experience of benefits. In this neutral sense it is used in Class. from Homer down, and is accordingly joined with both κακῶς evilly , and εὖ well . Paul habitually used it in the sense of suffering evil, and there is no decisive instance, either in N.T. or lxx, of the neutral sense. In Class., where it is used of the experience of benefits, it is always accompanied by some qualifying word. When it stands alone it signifies to suffer evil . The evidence on the whole makes very strongly for the meaning suffer ; in which case the reference is, probably, to the annoyances suffered from Judaising Christians. It must be said, on the other hand, that a reference to such annoyances seems far-fetched. If we could translate did ye experience (so Weizsäcker, Lipsius, Sieffert), the reference would be to the impartation of the gifts of the Spirit.

Vincent: Gal 3:4 - In vain

In vain ( εἰκῇ )

So that ye have fallen from the faith and missed the inheritance of suffering and the rich fruitage of your spiritual gifts. See Mat 5:10-12; Rom 8:17; 2Co 4:17.

Vincent: Gal 3:4 - If it be yet in vain

If it be yet in vain ( εἴ γε καὶ εἰκῇ )

The A.V. misses the force of the particles. Καὶ should be closely joined with εἰκῇ , with the sense of really . If , that is , it be really in vain .

Wesley: Gal 3:4 - Have ye suffered

Both from the zealous Jews and from the heathens.

Wesley: Gal 3:4 - So many things

For adhering to the gospel.

Wesley: Gal 3:4 - In vain

So as to lose all the blessings which ye might have obtained, by enduring to the end.

Wesley: Gal 3:4 - If it be yet in vain

As if he had said, I hope better things, even that ye will endure to the end.

JFB: Gal 3:4 - Have ye suffered so many things

Namely, persecution from Jews and from unbelieving fellow countrymen, incited by the Jews, at the time of your conversion.

JFB: Gal 3:4 - in vain

Fruitlessly, needlessly, since ye might have avoided them by professing Judaism [GROTIUS]. Or, shall ye, by falling from grace, lose the reward promised for all your sufferings, so that they shall be "in vain" (Gal 4:11; 1Co 15:2, 1Co 15:17-19, 1Co 15:29-32; 2Th 1:5-7; 2Jo 1:8)?

JFB: Gal 3:4 - yet

Rather, "If it be really (or 'indeed') in vain" [ELLICOTT]. "If, as it must be, what I have said, 'in vain,' is really the fact" [ALFORD]. I prefer understanding it as a mitigation of the preceding words. I hope better things of you, for I trust you will return from legalism to grace; if so, as I confidently expect, you will not have "suffered so many things in vain" [ESTIUS]. For "God has given you the Spirit and has wrought mighty works among you" (Gal 3:5; Heb 10:32-36) [BENGEL].

Clarke: Gal 3:4 - Have ye suffered so many things in vain?

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? - Have ye received and lost so much good? The verb πασχων, as compounded with ευ, well, or κακως, ill, and often without either, signifies to suffer pain or loss, or to possess and enjoy. In such a case the man is considered as the patient, and the good or ill acts upon him. Though it is possible that the Galatians had suffered some persecution for the truth of Christ, yet it is as likely that the apostle refers to the benefits which they had received. Ye have received faith, the pardon of your sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with it many extraordinary gifts and graces; and have ye suffered the loss of all these things? Have ye received all these in vain? if yet in vain - if it be credible that ye have sacrificed so many excellent benefits for an imaginary good.

Calvin: Gal 3:4 - Have ye suffered so many things?

4.Have ye suffered so many things? This is another argument. Having suffered so many things in behalf of the gospel, would they now, in an instant, lose it all? Nay, he puts it in the way of reproach, if they were willing to lose the advantage of so many illustrious struggles which they had made for the faith. If the true faith had not been delivered to them by Paul, it was rash to suffer anything in defense of a bad cause; but they had experienced the presence of God amidst their persecutions. Accordingly, he charges the false apostles with ill-will in depriving the Galatians of such valuable ornaments. But to mitigate the severity of this complaint, he adds, if it be yet in vain; thus inspiring their minds with the expectation of something better, and rousing them to the exercise of repentance. For the intention of all chastisement is, not to drive men to despair, but to lead them to a better course.

TSK: Gal 3:4 - ye // so many

ye : Eze 18:24; Heb 6:4-6, Heb 10:32-39; 2Pe 2:20-22; 2Jo 1:8

so many : or, so great

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Gal 3:4 - If it be yet in vain

There is no doubt but these churches in the regions of Galatia had their share in the sufferings of Christians by the Jews for their adherence to and profession of the doctrine of the gospel, which they might either wholly, or in a great measure, have avoided, would they have complied with the Jews in the observance of those legal rites. Therefore, (saith the apostle), to what purpose have you suffered so much for the owning of the Christian religion, if you now bring yourselves under the bondage of circumcision, and other legal observances?

If it be yet in vain by which words he either correcteth himself, as if he had said: But I hope better things of you, that I shall find that you did not suffer them in vain; or else he hinteth that their suffering so much would not be in vain, because, by their apostacy from the true faith for which they suffered, they would in effect deny it, as if it had been false, and their former suffering would rise up in judgment against them.

Haydock: Gal 3:4-5 - If yet in vain

If yet in vain: i.e. I have still good hopes, that what you have already suffered by persecutions and self-denials, since your conversion, will not be in vain; as they would be, if you sought to be justified by the works and ceremonies of the law of Moses, and not by the faith and law of Christ, by which only you can be truly sanctified. (Witham) ---

St. Jerome, St. Augustine, and others, suppose that the power of working miracles still remained in the Galatians, notwithstanding what had passed; but St. John Chrysostom and several others, explain it of a power they had formerly possessed. (Calmet)

Gill: Gal 3:4 - Have ye suffered so many things in vain // if it be yet in vain

Have ye suffered so many things in vain?.... These Galatians had suffered great reproach, many afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel, as all that embrace it must expect to do; and which to them that persevere in the faith of the Gospel will not be in vain, they will be followed with eternal life and glory; not that these things are meritorious of such happiness, or deserve such a reward; the reward of them is not of debt, but of grace. But, if such who have made a profession, and have suffered for it, should after all relinquish it, their sufferings for it are in vain; they will come short of that glory which is promised to them that suffer for righteousness sake: and this is another aggravation of the folly of these persons, that they should suffer so much persecution for the Gospel, which, if not true, they must have suffered in vain, and might as well have avoided it; and, if true, by relinquishing it not only sustain a great loss, but bring great hurt and damage to themselves:

if it be yet in vain; by which words the apostle does, as it were, correct himself, and expresses his hope of them, that they would see their mistake, revoke their error, and abide by the truth of the Gospel.