Keraia
Galatians 4

Galatians 4:9

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians · Galatians 4:8–20
Read Galatians 4

Translations

Modern
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Traditional
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Literal
But now, having known God, but rather having been known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and poor elements, to which you want to be in slavery again anew?
Latin
Nunc autem cum cognoveritis Deum, immo cogniti sitis a Deo: quomodo convertimini iterum ad infirma et egena elementa, quibus denuo servire vultis?

Original

Greek
English
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Notes

Galatians 4:9

  • Now that you know God: Christians have a relationship with God like a child with a parent, not like a slave with a master (4:5–7).

  • how is it that you are turning back? Paul was confused that Christians would want to return to their old life of spiritual slavery (4:19–20).

  • are known by God: God is the one who saves and has taken the initiative in understanding their souls and forgiving them freely (Psalm 139:1–6, 23–24; Luke 2:34–35; Hebrews 4:12).

  • By turning back to circumcision (as a way of being accepted by God), the Galatians would be returning to the same useless spiritual principles they knew when they worshiped false gods. Both ways of living required people to work hard to please a demanding master who was never satisfied.

Galatians 4:8–11

Paul reminds the Galatians of their past pagan beliefs. He argues that following circumcision and the law is like returning to the same kind of slavery they experienced before they knew God.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Conversion Elemental Spirits, Elements Faith Foreordination Letter to the Galatians Peter, First Letter of Peter, Second Letter of Sabbath

Topics

Backsliders: Galatians Backsliders: General Scriptures Concerning God: Knowledge of Instability: General Scriptures Concerning Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation