3:4a
Have you suffered so much for nothing: Before you translate 3:4a, there are two issues to consider:
Issue 1: The interpretation issue
There are three ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered :
(1) It refers to the bad things that the Galatians had experienced. In other word, it refers to the persecution that they had suffered. In this interpretation, the verb is understood in a negative sense. It is likely that the Galatian believers had previously suffered for their faith because of persecution. For example:
Have you suffered so many things for nothing? (NET Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (1996), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
(2) It refers to the good and bad things that they had experienced. In this interpretation, the verb is understood as either positive or negative experiences. For example:
Did you experience so many things in vain? (Revised Standard Version)
(3) It refers to the good experiences they have had since they believed in Christ. In this interpretation, the verb is understood in a positive sense. For example:
Have all your great experiences been in vain…? (New English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). “Suffered” is the normal meaning of this word in the New Testament. And this is the meaning that Paul intended in all other places in his letters where he used this word.
Issue 2: The rhetorical question
This is Paul’s fourth rhetorical question in this chapter. Like the other rhetorical questions, it is a rebuke. The Galatians suffered because they believed in Jesus. Paul rebukes them and says that if they turn away from that faith, they have suffered for nothing.
Some ways to translate this rebuke are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Did you suffer so much for nothing? (God’s Word)
• As a statement. For example:
You have suffered so much for the Good News. (New Living Translation (1996))
• As a command. For example:
Do not allow your suffering to be for nothing.
Use whichever form is most natural in your language.
for nothing: This word refers to something that is useless or without purpose.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
no use/value
-or-
in vain
-or-
wasted
3:4b
if it really was for nothing: Paul added this phrase to his rhetorical question to express his hope that the suffering of the Galatians was not in vain. It was not too late for them to return to the true gospel.
Some ways to translate this phrase are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Surely it was not in vain, was it? (New Living Translation (1996))
• As a statement. For example:
I do not believe that it was for nothing!
-or-
I hope not! (New Century Version)
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