Paul treats the change of direction in the Galatian churches as an extremely serious matter. He is deeply troubled and upset. He even wonders if all his efforts in planting these churches will prove to be in vain.

Are we as grieved as Paul was when our churches begin to put the observance of law at the center of their life and worship? Are we so troubled when Christians put more emphasis on keeping certain traditions rather than on growing in their relationship with the Father through Christ in the power of the Spirit? Does our lack of concern for Christians who have become law-centered rather than Christ-centered indicate that we do not even recognize that a change has taken place or understand how destructive such a shift of focus can be?

With his expression of heartfelt concern for his converts, Paul closes the entire rebuke section of his letter. His rebuke for disloyalty to the gospel (1:6-10) was followed by his autobiographical account of his own loyalty to the gospel (1:11—2:21). His rebuke for foolishness regarding the gospel (3:1) was followed by his explanation of the Galatians' conversion experience and an exposition of Scripture (3:2—4:11) in order to show the relation of the gospel to the law. He will now move to his request for a change of direction.