difficult, but the second solution is to be preferred. Otherwise, Paul goes on, you have believed in vain, where the last word, eikē, may be understood as ‘without due consideration, in a haphazard manner’ (BAGD). If people profess to believe the gospel, but have not given due consideration to what that implies and what it demands, they do not really trust Christ. Their belief is groundless and empty. They lack saving faith. 3. The derivative nature of the gospel is stressed. Paul did not originate