It is not entirely clear if Paul has suffering or experience in mind.1 The Greek word is somewhat ambiguous. If Paul refers to suffering, there is evidence in both his letter (Galatians 4:29) as well as the book of Acts (Acts 13:50; Acts 14:2, Acts 14:5, Acts 14:19, Acts 14:22) that both he and the Galatians faced some kind of persecution as a result of their faith in Christ.2 Alternatively, if he refers to experience, he may be referring to the miraculous work of the Spirit in their midst (Acts 13:52; Acts 14:3, Acts 14:9).
4 Avez-vous tant souffert en vain? si toutefois c'est en vain.