Gal 4:8-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 4:8-11: 4:8-11 Paul reminds the Galatians of their former paganism; he argues that practicing circumcision (and the law in general) would be a return to the same kind of slavery that they experienced before they knew God . 4:8 The Gentile Galatians had previously practiced pagan idolatry; they worshiped the elements and the seasons (cp. Rom 1:25 ) and were slaves to the fear of offending these so-called gods (1 Cor 8:5-6 ).

a4:8-11►

b4:8►

cRom 1:25►

d1 Cor 8:5-6►

e4:9►

f4:5-7►

g4:19-20►

hPs 139:1-6►

i23-24►

jLuke 2:34-35►

kHeb 4:12►

‏ Galatians 4:8-9

Summary for Gal 4:8-11: 4:8-11 ^a Paul reminds the Galatians of their former paganism; he argues that practicing circumcision (and the law in general) would be a return to the same kind of slavery that they experienced before they knew God. 4:8 ^b The Gentile Galatians had previously practiced pagan idolatry; they worshiped the elements and the seasons (cp. Rom 1:25 ^c) and were slaves to the fear of offending these so-called gods (1 Cor 8:5-6 ^d).
4:9 ^e now that you know God: Christians have a relationship with God that is like a child to a parent rather than a slave to a master (4:5-7 ^f).

• why do you want to go back? Paul was perplexed (cp. 4:19-20 ^g) that Christians who had this standing would want to return to their old life of slavery.

• now that God knows you: God is the agent of salvation and had taken the initiative in laying their souls bare (cp. Ps 139:1-6 ^h, 23-24 ⁱ; Luke 2:34-35 ^j; Heb 4:12 ^k) and forgiving them freely.

• By turning to circumcision, the Galatians would be returning to the same useless spiritual principles of this world that they had known under paganism. In both cases, one must work to satisfy an unyielding master.