Why is it worse for Christ's work to be in vain than for Paul's labor to be in vain?
Paul's labor was his own sacrificial preaching; if the Galatians turned back to the law, his effort was wasted for him. But Christ's work fully accomplished everything needed for every human being. Rejecting it tramples that finished work and counts His blood as nothing, making the waste far worse.
Les explains that Paul feared his labor among the Galatians was in vain because they were turning back under the law after he had suffered and deprived himself so the gospel could go to Gentile communities. Paul asks if he did all that in vain. Les stresses it was bad enough that it was in vain for Paul, but far worse that it was in vain for what Christ had done. Christ already accomplished everything needed for every human being, yet people walk it underfoot, go on unconcerned and indifferent, and count the blood of Christ as nothing. For those who believe, however, it was not in vain.
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
More Questions
What did Paul mean by saying he had bestowed labor on the Galatians in vain?
Paul's fear of having labored in vain means that if the Galatians turn their back on what he preached and return under the law, all his self-depriving work of bringing the gospel to them was wasted.