Galatians 4:9 kjv
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?
Galatians 4:9 nkjv
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 4:9 niv
But now that you know God?or rather are known by God?how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Galatians 4:9 esv
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
Galatians 4:9 nlt
So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
Galatians 4 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gal 4:9 | but since you have come to know God—or rather, to be known by God— | Cross reference explanation |
| Gal 4:10 | you observe days and months and seasons and years. | Fulfillment of prophecy/warning |
| 1 Cor 8:3 | But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. | Reciprocal knowledge of God |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands,… “The Lord knows those who are His,”… | God's sovereign knowledge |
| John 10:14 | I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, | Intimate knowledge of Christ |
| John 17:3 | And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. | Essence of eternal life |
| Rom 8:29 | For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... | Predestination and conformity |
| Ps 1:6 | For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | God's knowledge of paths |
| Jer 1:5 | before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; | God's foreknowledge and calling |
| 1 Pet 1:20 | He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but manifested in these last times for your sake | Foreknowledge before creation |
| Eph 1:4 | even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world... | Election before creation |
| 1 Thes 5:21 | but test everything; hold fast to what is good. | Discernment required |
| Col 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. | Warning against deceptive teachings |
| Col 2:20 | If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to regulations… | Freedom from elemental spirits |
| Heb 6:1-2 | Therefore let us leave the talk of its first principles and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings, of the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. | Moving beyond elementary doctrines |
| Acts 15:1-2 | But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” | Polemic against Judaizing |
| Rom 10:3-4 | For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. | Righteousness by faith, not law |
| Phil 3:18-19 | For many, of whom I have just wept, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. | Warning against false teachers |
| 1 John 2:15-17 | Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. | Worldly vs. Godly desires |
| Acts 17:28 | For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ | God's omnipresence and our being |
| Matt 6:32 | For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. | God's care and knowledge |
| Heb 11:16 | But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. | Desire for a heavenly country |
Galatians 4 verses
Galatians 4 9 Meaning
Having been known by God, it is a backward step to return to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits.
Galatians 4 9 Context
This verse is part of a larger argument in Galatians where Paul addresses the Galatian believers who are being swayed by false teachers advocating for adherence to Jewish law for salvation. Paul contrasts the slavery of the law with the freedom found in Christ. In chapter 4, he uses an allegory of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the difference between the children of the promise (born by the Spirit through faith in Christ) and those under the law (born according to the flesh). Verse 9 is a concluding statement to this allegorical section, emphasizing that true spiritual maturity and God's recognition come through faith, not by returning to a legalistic observance of rituals.
Galatians 4 9 Word analysis
- Ὡς (Hōs) - "Since," "Now that." Introduces a new consideration or premise for the subsequent statement.
- δὲ (de) - "but," "and." A conjunction indicating a contrast or a transition.
- ἐπιγνόντες (epignontes) - "having known fully," "having come to know." A strong verb indicating experiential and comprehensive knowledge, often relating to spiritual understanding. It implies more than just intellectual awareness; it speaks of a deep, personal acquaintance.
- θεὸν (theon) - "God." The object of the knowledge.
- μάλλον (mallon) - "rather," "more." Used here to correct or refine the preceding statement, shifting the emphasis.
- γνωσθέντες (gnosthentes) - "having been known." The passive form, meaning to be known by God. This emphasizes God's initiative in the relationship.
- ὑπὸ (hypo) - "by." Indicates the agent performing the action in the passive voice.
- ποῦ (pou) - "where." Interrogative adverb, implying a backward or misguided movement.
- πάλιν (palin) - "again." Reinforces the sense of returning to a previous state or former practices.
- ἄνωθεν (anōthen) - "from above," "from the beginning." Here used in contrast to returning to a former state; it can imply going backward in a sequence. In this context, it's contrasted with the intended upward or forward progression in Christ.
- δουλεύειν (douleuein) - "to serve," "to be enslaved." The infinitive, indicating the action of servitude.
- ἀσθενῆ (asthene) - "weak." The accusative neuter singular of ἀσθενής (asthenēs), indicating a lack of strength or power.
- καὶ (kai) - "and." Connects "weak" and "beggarly."
- πτωχὰ (ptōcha) - "poor," "beggarly." The accusative neuter singular of πτωχός (ptōchos), describing something as meager, destitute, or rudimentary, often referring to elemental principles that cannot provide true sustenance.
- στοιχεῖα (stoicheia) - "elements," "principles," "rudiments." Refers to the basic components of something. In this context, it refers to the basic principles or elemental spirits associated with the world and legalistic systems, which are insufficient for true salvation. It can also refer to elementary spiritual forces or traditions.
Group analysis:
- "knowing God... being known by God": This highlights the reciprocity and, more importantly, God's sovereign role in initiating the relationship. True knowledge of God leads to being known by Him, which is a sign of His election and acceptance.
- "return to serve the weak and beggarly elements": This describes a regression from a state of grace and spiritual maturity back to powerless and impoverished spiritual or ritualistic practices. The "elements" are seen as powerless and lacking, contrasting sharply with the fullness found in Christ.
Galatians 4 9 Bonus section
The term "stoicheia" (elements) has a rich theological background. In extra-biblical Jewish literature, it could refer to angelic beings, the fundamental constituents of the universe, or the laws and principles governing them. When Paul uses it in reference to observances, he is effectively debasing these practices from their intended significance (under the old covenant) or highlighting their inadequacy as a means of salvation in contrast to the finished work of Christ. The contrast is between a "heavenly" relationship (Gal 4:26) and the "earthly" elements (Gal 4:3, 4:9). This mirrors the New Testament's overarching theme of moving from the shadow and types of the Old Covenant to the reality and substance found in Christ. It’s a call to mature understanding, leaving behind the ABCs of spiritual life for the deeper truths and empowerment of the Gospel.
Galatians 4 9 Commentary
The apostle Paul emphasizes that the Galatians, having come into a true, personal relationship with God (a relationship initiated by God's knowing them), are now foolishly turning back to what he calls the "weak and beggarly elements." These "elements" likely refer to the rudimentary teachings and observances of the Mosaic Law that the false teachers were imposing, or perhaps to pagan ritualistic practices and spiritual forces that held no true saving power. The Greek words used paint a picture of something that is not only powerless ("weak") but also impoverished and unable to provide spiritual substance or sustenance ("beggarly"). It's a departure from the spiritual freedom and fullness found in Christ. The paradox lies in the fact that after experiencing God's transformative knowledge and grace, they are choosing to revert to systems that offer nothing of true spiritual value, enslaving themselves once more to external rules rather than living by the internal power of the Spirit. This act is portrayed as a serious regression in their spiritual journey.