galatians-4:8-9-web

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:8

An appeal to the Gentile Galatians. "Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods." The apostle here seems to turn to the Gentile portion of the Church, and impresses upon them the folly of placing themselves under the yoke of Mosaic Law. 1. CONSIDER THEIR FORMER IGNORANCE OF GOD . "When ye knew not God." The apostle gives no hint here of that self-satisfied agnosticism of our day, which says either we cannot or we do not know... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:8-9

"Beggarly rudiments." I. THE OLD HEATHENDOM . St. Paul needs to remind the Galatians of the evils of the condition from which they have been liberated. We are all inclined to gild the past with false glories, looking back with fond regret to its lost delights, while we forget the things that troubled it. Note three characteristics of this evil past. 1 . Ignorance of God. The heathen were without the light, the joy, the guidance, and the help that come with the true knowledge of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:8-11

The return of the legal spirit. Having spoken of the majority which it is intended we should realize through the gospel, Paul proceeds next to speak about the return to legalism which had characterized the Gauls. Before Paul's advent to Galatia and his gospel message, they had been idolaters, but his preaching had brought them face to face, so to speak, with God. Into this Divine knowledge they had dipped, but, alas] it had only been a swallow-flight, for, after tasting the liberty of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:9

But now ( νῦν δέ ); and now. (See note on " then " in Galatians 4:8 ). After that ye have known God, or rather are known of God ( γνόντες θεόν μᾶλλον δὲ γνωσθέντες ὐπὸ θεοῦ ); after that ye have gotten to know God , or rather to be known of God. Considering the interchangeable use of γνῶναι or ἐγνωκέναι and εἰδωέναι in John 8:55 and 2 Corinthians 5:16 , it seems precarious to make much distinction between them as applied to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:9

A protest against relapse. "But now, after having known God, or rather were being known of God, how are you turning again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" I. MARK THEIR NEW POSITION OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRIVILEGE . The Galatians had come to know God through the preaching of the gospel. 1 . This was their high privilege. "This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." 2 .... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:8

Howbeit - But, ἀλλὰ alla. The address in this verse and the following is evidently to the portion of the Galatians who had been pagan. This is probably indicated by the particle ἀλλὰ alla, but denoting a transition. In the previous verses Paul had evidently had the Jewish converts more particularly in his eye, and had described their former condition as one of servitude to the Mosaic rites and customs, and had shown the inconveniences of that condition, compared with the freedom imparted by... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:9

But now ... - The sense is, that since they had been made free from their ignoble servitude in the worship of false gods, and had been admitted to the freedom found in the worship of the true God, it was absurd that they should return again to that which was truly slavery or bondage, the observance of the rites of the Jewish law.That ye have known God - The true God, and the ease and freedom of his service in the gospel.Or rather are known of God - The sense is, “Or, to speak more accurately or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 4:8-11

Galatians 4:8-11. Howbeit Αλλα , but, or however, that ye Gentiles may not foolishly reject, neglect, or forfeit your privileges, as the sons of God, you ought to remember what your condition was while under the elements of the world, and compare it with your present happy state: that then, when ye knew not the one living and true God, ye did service Performed many degrading, burdensome, irrational, and abominable acts of worship and service, unto them which by nature are no... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:8-20

Paul’s concern for the Galatians (4:8-20)Before they believed in Christ, most of the Galatians were pagans, in bondage to idols of wood and stone. Now that they have come to know the true God, they are foolish to get into bondage again by trying to keep the Jewish law. By doing so they are not going forward in their Christian lives; they are going backwards (8-11).The Galatians should live as those free from the law, just as Paul does. He feels sorry for them, not angry with them. He does not... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Galatians 4:8

knew. Greek. oida , App-132 . not. Greek. ou . App-105 . did service. Greek. douleuo . App-190 . Compare Galatians 4:3 . unto = to. no = not. Greek. me . App-105 . gods . App-98 , read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:8-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:8-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 4:8-11

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:8-20

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Galatians 4:8

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