-It is possible that the word here is neutral, that it simply means ‘experience’ and refers to the positive experience of the signs and miracles of God’s Spirit among these Galatian believers. They had experienced so many things, things of wonder and power, simply having heard and believed, and this is consistent with both the preceding and following verse.
-The other way to translate the word is ‘suffer’, that not only did these Galatians see some pretty amazing things after that they believed (and that apart from any compliance with the Mosaic law), but they then were on the receiving end of some persecution. While there is no explicit record anywhere else of a persecution directed at Christians arising in the region of Galatia at the time, it would not be difficult to imagine such a thing taking place, since persecution and suffering are pretty much the heritage of all believers, guaranteed by none other than Jesus Himself (John 15.20, Luke 21.12, Matthew 10.22, cf 2Timothy 3.12). These Galatians would not have been the first nor the last to experience some form of mistreatment or loss for believing in and following after Jesus. The way of the Cross is disruptive to both families and entire societies, not only flying in the face of long established and deeply ingrained religious and cultural identities, but also heaping condemnation on those around who are brought face-to-face with real spiritual accountability, with a message of absolute truth, of sin and righteousness and of judgment to come. Unless one has some humility and also proceeds to understand and embrace the forgiveness which accompanies the accountability, it can be a message rather ill-suited to sit well in the heart of fallen man. Often, those who are guilty do not enjoy being told as much, and rather than repent will reject or lash out at their accuser (or message-bearer). These can be aided and abetted by local authorities who may be actively hostile as well or could be merely passively indifferent, simply tolerant of any injustice or mistreatment or violence directed at Christians. This reality is played out all over the world, increasingly so today, and has been since they first mistreated and murdered Jesus (and the prophets before Him - haters gonna hate the Message and the messenger). This could very well have happened to these new Galatian believers, and the mere fact of their suffering would have been proof positive that they were on the right track, a validation of their faith (Matthew 5.10-12, John 15.20). Which then leads to Paul’s point: they had experienced and quite possibly had suffered so many things after having put their trust in Christ for salvation, after indicating a decision to begin following Christ. If the path to perfection was in fact not thru faith alone in Christ alone (or if they were going to abandon said path), then whatever suffering they had endured after their profession had been a waste of time. In vain. Why name the name of Jesus if that’s only going to get you persecuted but not really get you any closer to heaven? C’mon, man!
-Thankfully, tho, it is never in vain, never a waste of time to suffer or endure anything in the name of Jesus, on His behalf and for the sake of His body, just as Paul tips his hand a bit by adding the phrase, ‘if indeed’. No indeed, it was not at all in vain, not ever! Suffering for Christ produces endurance, and helps to actually strengthen our faith and make us more like the One Who endured the Cross and experienced the ultimate suffering on our behalf - for us (1Peter 4.12-13, Acts 14.22, 1Peter 5.9-10, Revelation 2.10, 1Peter 1.6-7, James 1.2-3)!
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