Galatians 4:11
What does Galatians 4:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:11 means
Paul fears that his extensive labor among the Galatians might prove “in vain” if they persist in legalism. This is not despair about God’s power, but a sober assessment: if they replace Christ’s sufficiency with observance, the apostolic effort has been undermined. The word “labor” evokes costly, loving service. His concern is pastoral and doctrinal—he longs for their perseverance in the true gospel. The verse underscores that Christian ministry aims at genuine, enduring faith, not just initial enthusiasm. Paul’s fear is a wake-up call, urging them to reconsider the path they are on before their trajectory empties earlier progress of its fruit.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am in fear of you, that I may have been working for you to no purpose.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I am afraid of you, lest in vain I did labour toward you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am afraid of you, lest indeed I have laboured in vain as to you.
Context
After identifying their return to calendar observances, Paul states his anxiety about the outcome of his ministry. This marks a pivot from argument to appeal. In verses 12–20 he will address them as brothers, recall their warm reception of him, and contrast that with their present coldness influenced by false teachers. The flow moves from theological warning to relational pleading, showing Paul’s heart for their well-being and the seriousness of the drift.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
- Philippians 2:16
holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
- Galatians 5:2
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
- Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.
- 2 John 1:8
Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
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