Galatians 4:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 4:8-11

In these verses the apostle puts them in mind of what they were before their conversion to the faith of Christ, and what a blessed change their conversion had made upon them; and thence endeavours to convince them of their great weakness in hearkening to those who would bring them under the bondage of the law of Moses. I. He reminds them of their past state and behaviour, and what they were before the gospel was preached to them. Then they knew not God; they were grossly ignorant of the true... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 4:8-11

4:8-11 There was a time when you did not know God, and when you were slaves to gods who are no gods at all; but now that you know God or rather now that god knows you--how can you turn back again to the weak and poverty-stricken elementary things, for it is to them that you wish to be enslaved all over again? You meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest all the labour I spent on you is to go for nothing. Paul is still basing on the conception... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:9

But now, after that ye have known God , God in Christ, as their covenant God and Father, through the preaching of the Gospel, and in the light of divine grace; God having caused light to shine in their dark hearts; and having given them the light of the knowledge of himself in the face of Christ, and having sent down into their hearts the Spirit of his Son, crying "Abba", Father. Or rather are known of God ; for it is but little that the best of these, that have the greatest share of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:9

Now, after that ye have known God - After having been brought to the knowledge of God as your Savior. Or rather are known of God - Are approved of him, having received the adoption of sons. To the weak and beggarly elements - After receiving all this, will ye turn again to the ineffectual rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law - rites too weak to counteract your sinful habits, and too poor to purchase pardon and eternal life for you? If the Galatians were turning again to them, it is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:9

Verse 9 9.But now, (67) after that ye have known God. No language can express the base ingratitude of departing from God, when he has once been known. What is it but to forsake, of our own accord, the light, the life, the fountain of all benefits, — “to forsake,” as Jeremiah complains, “the fountain of living waters, and hew out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water!” (Jeremiah 2:13.) Still farther to heighten the blame, he corrects his language, and says, or rather have been,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 4:1-11

Majority and minority. I. THE CHILD COMING TO HIS MAJORITY . Analogy. "But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bond-servant, though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the term appointed of the father." At the close of the preceding chapter Christians were described as Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. It is with regard to this that the apostle now makes use of an analogy. It is a very simple and... 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

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