Gal 4:9 | MHM | STEP | v. 9 : Now, things are different. Paul says, now you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God . Their new relationship with God was not because of their own effort, but because God reached out to them in His grace. God rescued them from their old ways and gave them the privilege of being His children. This makes it even more important for them to stay free in Christ and not go back to spiritual slavery. Paul is surprised and concerned that they want to turn back to those weak and beggarly elements (the old ways and Jewish rituals). He asks why they would want to be in bondage again, following rituals like days, and months, and times, and years —special religious festivals and observances. These things could not really help or save them, and were meant only for a time when the church was like a child under rules.

‏ Galatians 4:9

v. 9: Now, things are different. Paul says, now you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God . Their new relationship with God was not because of their own effort, but because God reached out to them in His grace. God rescued them from their old ways and gave them the privilege of being His children. This makes it even more important for them to stay free in Christ and not go back to spiritual slavery.

Paul is surprised and concerned that they want to turn back to those weak and beggarly elements (the old ways and Jewish rituals). He asks why they would want to be in bondage again, following rituals like days, and months, and times, and years—special religious festivals and observances. These things could not really help or save them, and were meant only for a time when the church was like a child under rules.