What is the meaning of Galatians 4:9? But now that you know God • Paul reminds the Galatians of the incredible reality that they have entered a personal relationship with the living God through faith in Christ (John 17:3; 1 John 2:13). • “Know” here is experiential, not merely intellectual—echoing Jeremiah 31:34 where God promised His people would “all know Me.” • This knowledge marks a decisive break from their former ignorance and idolatry (Ephesians 2:12), grounding their identity in God rather than in rituals or human effort. Or rather are known by God • Paul immediately shifts the emphasis to God’s initiative: before they sought Him, He set His love on them (1 Corinthians 8:3; 2 Timothy 2:19). • Being “known by God” speaks of divine election and covenant intimacy, like Moses who found favor because the Lord “knew” him by name (Exodus 33:17). • Our assurance rests not in the strength of our grasp on God, but in His unshakable grasp on us (John 10:28-29). How is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? • The “principles” (stoicheia) refer to the elementary religious rules, especially the Mosaic ceremonies the Judaizers urged them to adopt (Colossians 2:20-23). • Paul labels them “weak” because they lack power to save (Romans 8:3) and “worthless” because they cannot add to Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 7:18-19). • Returning to these externals is like preferring shadows over the Substance (Colossians 2:17), trading the riches of grace for spiritual poverty. Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? • The apostle exposes the danger: legalistic observance leads back to bondage (Galatians 4:3; Acts 15:10). • Freedom in Christ means release from the law’s condemnation (Galatians 5:1; Romans 8:1-2). • Choosing slavery after tasting liberty mirrors Israel longing for Egypt (Numbers 14:3-4) and contradicts Jesus’ promise, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). • Paul’s warning is pastoral: guard the gospel, cling to grace, and refuse any system that makes human performance the pathway to acceptance. summary Galatians 4:9 reminds believers that salvation begins with God’s knowing love, brings us into genuine relationship with Him, and liberates us from the powerless rules that once held us captive. Turning back to legalistic practices is not progress but regression into slavery. Stand fast in the freedom Christ secured, relying wholly on His grace and not on any human effort. |
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