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Paul's Fears for the Galatians
…10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!11I fearfor you,thatmy effortsforyoumay have beenin vain.12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.…

Treasury of Scripture

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed on you labor in vain.

am.

Galatians 4:20
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

2 Corinthians 11:2,3
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may presentyou as a chaste virgin to Christ…

2 Corinthians 12:20,21
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, andthat I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lestthere be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: …

lest.

Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Galatians 5:2-4
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing…

Isaiah 49:4
Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain:yet surely my judgmentis with the LORD, and my work with my God.

AfraidAlarmedBestowedEffortsFearIndeedLaborLaboredMeansPerhapsPurposeSomehowVainWastedWorkingAfraidAlarmedBestowedEffortsFearIndeedLaborLaboredMeansPerhapsPurposeSomehowVainWastedWorking1.We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.
5.But Christ freed us from the law;
7.therefore we are servants no longer to it.
14.Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;
22.and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.

I fear for you
Paul expresses a deep concern for the Galatian believers, reflecting his pastoral heart. This fear is not for his own safety or reputation but for the spiritual well-being of the Galatians. Historically, Paul had established the churches in Galatia during his missionary journeys, and he had invested significant time and effort in teaching them the gospel. His fear arises from reports that the Galatians are turning away from the true gospel to follow Judaizers, who insisted on adherence to Jewish law for salvation. This concern is similar to his warnings in other letters, such as2 Corinthians 11:3, where he fears the Corinthians might be led astray from their pure devotion to Christ.

that my efforts for you
Paul's efforts included preaching, teaching, and nurturing the Galatian church. His missionary work was characterized by hardship and perseverance, as seen inActs 13-14, where he faced opposition and persecution. The term "efforts" underscores the labor and dedication Paul invested in establishing and strengthening the Galatian believers. This reflects the broader biblical theme of spiritual labor, as seen in1 Corinthians 15:58, where believers are encouraged to be steadfast in their work for the Lord, knowing it is not in vain.

may have been in vain
The possibility that his work might be in vain highlights the seriousness of the Galatians' potential apostasy. In the biblical context, "in vain" suggests a fruitless or ineffective outcome, which is a grave concern for any minister of the gospel. This echoes the sentiment inPhilippians 2:16, where Paul desires to know that he did not run or labor in vain. Theologically, this phrase underscores the importance of perseverance in faith and the danger of turning away from the gospel of grace. It also reflects the biblical principle that true faith results in transformation and obedience, as seen inJames 2:17, where faith without works is dead.

1.Paul
The apostle who wrote the letter to the Galatians. He is expressing concern for the spiritual well-being of the Galatian believers.

2.Galatians
The recipients of the letter, a group of churches in the region of Galatia. They were being influenced by Judaizers who insisted on adherence to Jewish law for salvation.

3.Judaizers
A group of Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile converts must follow Jewish law, including circumcision, to be saved.

4.Galatia
A region in modern-day Turkey where Paul established several churches during his missionary journeys.

5.Efforts
Refers to Paul's missionary work and teaching among the Galatians, emphasizing the gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.The Danger of False Teaching
False teachings can lead believers away from the true gospel. It is crucial to discern and reject teachings that add to or distort the message of grace.

The Importance of Perseverance
Believers must persevere in their faith, holding fast to the gospel they received. This requires continual growth and vigilance against spiritual complacency.

The Role of Spiritual Leaders
Spiritual leaders, like Paul, invest deeply in the spiritual growth of their communities. Their concern for believers' faithfulness is a model for pastoral care and discipleship.

The Value of Self-Examination
Regular self-examination helps ensure that one's faith is genuine and not in vain. Believers should assess their adherence to the gospel and their spiritual progress.

The Power of Prayer and Encouragement
Praying for and encouraging one another strengthens the community of faith and helps guard against falling away from the truth.Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4

When should you search and when should you give up?

What does 'Not Grow Weary in Doing Good' mean?

Why does Acts contradict Paul's letters in key details, such as his visits to Jerusalem?

Galatians 2:2 - How can we verify Paul's claim of going 'by revelation' to meet the apostles when there is no concrete external evidence for such an event?Verse 11. -I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain (φοβοῦμαι ὑμᾶς μήπῶς εἰκῆ κεποπίακα εἰς ὑμᾶςI am afraid of you,lest by any means 1have bestowed labour upon you in vain. That is, this behaviour of yours makes me fear whether I may not have bestowed labour upon you fruitlessly. A similar construction ofμή πως with an indicative occurs in1 Thessalonians 3:5,Μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁπειράζων, "Fearing, whether the tempter may not have tempted you;" followed by the subjunctive,Καὶ εἰς κένον γένηται ὁ κόποςἡμῶν, "And lest our labour should [in the as yet future result] prove to be for no good." This passage in the Thessalonians serves to illustrate the nature of the mischief, which, in the present case, the apostle feared might result. For one thing, there was the hurt, the perhaps fatal hurt, which the Galatian believers might themselves receive from that virtual renouncement of their spiritual inheritance which they now seemed to be foolishly making. But there was also the disappointment which would accrue to himself through the failure of his work among them: "For what," as he wrote to the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, "is our hope, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?" The same anticipated joy he speaks of in writing to the Philippians, as about to accrue to himself from the steadfastness of his converts: "That I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain, neither labour in vain." This anticipation was a joy which he would fain not have wrested from him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


I fear
φοβοῦμαι(phoboumai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5399:From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

for you,
ὑμᾶς(hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[that]
μή(mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

my efforts
κεκοπίακα(kekopiaka)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2872:From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard.

for
εἰς(eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

you
ὑμᾶς(hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

may have been
πως(pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459:Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

in vain.
εἰκῇ(eikē)
Adverb
Strong's 1500:Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.


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NT Letters: Galatians 4:11 I am afraid for you that (Gal. Ga)