The term "beggarly" is used in the Bible to describe something that is impoverished, lacking, or of little value. It is often employed metaphorically to highlight spiritual poverty or the insufficiency of worldly elements compared to the richness found in Christ. The concept of "beggarly" is primarily found in the New Testament, where it serves as a contrast to the abundant life offered through faith in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 4:9
In Galatians 4:9, the Apostle Paul uses the term "beggarly" to describe the elemental spiritual forces that the Galatian Christians were turning back to after having known God. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as: "But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and beggarly principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" Here, "beggarly" is used to emphasize the inadequacy and poverty of the old covenant laws and rituals compared to the fullness of life in Christ. Paul is urging the Galatians not to revert to their former ways, which are powerless and lacking in the true spiritual wealth found in the gospel.

Spiritual Implications
The use of "beggarly" in this context underscores the futility of relying on human traditions, legalism, or any form of self-righteousness for salvation. It highlights the contrast between the old covenant, which is seen as weak and insufficient, and the new covenant in Christ, which is rich and complete. The term serves as a warning against the temptation to return to a life of spiritual poverty when one has been offered the riches of grace through faith.

Theological Significance
From a theological perspective, the concept of "beggarly" aligns with the broader biblical theme of the insufficiency of human efforts to achieve righteousness. It points to the necessity of divine intervention and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The believer is called to abandon the "beggarly" elements of the world and embrace the fullness of life in Christ, who provides all that is needed for spiritual growth and maturity.

Practical Application
In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to examine their lives for any "beggarly" elements that may hinder their spiritual progress. This includes reliance on rituals, traditions, or any form of legalism that detracts from the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross. Believers are called to live in the freedom and abundance that comes from a relationship with Jesus, avoiding the spiritual poverty that comes from turning back to the old ways.

In summary, the term "beggarly" serves as a powerful reminder of the inadequacy of anything apart from Christ. It calls believers to recognize the richness of their inheritance in Him and to live in the fullness of His grace and truth.1. (a.) In the condition of, or like, a beggar; suitable for a beggar; extremely indigent; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible.

2. (a.) Produced or occasioned by beggary.

3. (adv.) In an indigent, mean, or despicable manner; in the manner of a beggar.

BEGGARLY

beg'-er-li (ptochos): The word has the thought of "to crouch" or "cringe," such as is common with professional beggars. It is used in Matthew 5:3 and Galatians 4:9, and in both cases means complete spiritual destitution. As used in Galatians it expresses the contrast between their present condition and the former estate, toward which he says they are again tending. Paul has in mind both the Jewish and heathen systems of religion with all their outward show. He therefore here emphasizes to the immeasurable superiority of the riches and liberty in Christ. He further expresses this same thought of the law in Romans 8:3 and Hebrews 7:18. In view of the wretchedness of the condition indicated by the word "beggarly," he states his astonishment that they should so little appreciate the liberty and riches which they now enjoy as even to think of going back the former condition.

Jacob W. Kapp

4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... 4433, 4434. ptochos. 4435 . (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly,
poor. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ptochos Phonetic Spelling: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day ...
... churches that have other solemn days for their meetings.'[3] Luther considers the
observance of the Jewish Sabbath one of the 'weak and beggarly rudiments.'[4]. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/questions about the nature and.htm

Fourth Sunday after Easter Second Sermon.
... his own inclinations, think thus: "What has he? A wretched portion, a beggarly
morsel. In contrast, I have divine grace enabling ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after easter second.htm

The Epistle to the Colossians
... This was all the more necessary, because they had died with Christ to their
old life and to the beggarly elements of the world, 20-23. II. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the colossians.htm

Galatians Chapter iv.
... [101] But now, that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known of God, how
turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments whereunto ye desire to be ...
/.../galatians chapter iv.htm

The Epistle Written by Malchion,
... Nor need we say any thing of such matters as this, that, whereas he was formerly
poor and beggarly, having neither inherited a single possession from his ...
/.../malchion/the epistle of malchion/i the epistle written by malchion.htm

Prayerlessness in the Pulpit
... To consecrate no place to prayer, is to make a beggarly showing, not only in praying,
but in holy living, for secret prayer and holy living are so closely ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/viii prayerlessness in the pulpit.htm

The Opinions of the Philosophers Respecting God.
... First Cause, the Maker of all things, and Creator of those very first principles,
the unbeginning God, but reverencing "these weak and beggarly elements," [920 ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter v the opinions of the.htm

In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your ...
... Few men lay themselves out in great praying. The great business of praying is
a hurried, petty, starved, beggarly business with most men. St. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter viii in gods name.htm

The Nature and Value of Prayer, and How the Heart Should be ...
... own blessed mouth as well as by his example, that we should turn to him in all
circumstances and occasions as guilty, wretched, poor, beggarly, weak, helpless ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 13 the nature and.htm

Paul and his Praying
... gifts. Pauline praying is worth all it costs. Prayer which costs nothing gets
nothing. It is beggarly business at best. Paul's estimate ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xiii paul and his praying.htm

Beggarly (2 Occurrences)
...BEGGARLY. beg'-er-li (ptochos): The word has the thought of "to crouch" or "cringe,"
such as is common with professional beggars. ...Beggarly (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/beggarly.htm - 8k

Elements (7 Occurrences)
... In this sense it is used in Galatians 4:3, 9; Colossians 2:8, 20, where the expressions,
"elements of the world," "week and beggarly elements," denote that ...
/e/elements.htm - 10k

Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... Paul writes, "When we were children, (we) were in bondage under the elements of
the world"; "How turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye ...
/r/rudiments.htm - 13k

Beggar (5 Occurrences)

/b/beggar.htm - 15k

Whereunto (36 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God,
how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again ...
/w/whereunto.htm - 17k

Rag
... tatter; a fragment. 3. (n.) Hence, mean or tattered attire; worn-out dress.
4. (n.) A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin. 5. (n.) A ...
/r/rag.htm - 7k

Beggars (1 Occurrence)

/b/beggars.htm - 6k

Beg (77 Occurrences)
... "Beggarly," in Galatians 4:9, means worthless. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.)
A title of honor in Turkey and in some other parts of the East. ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Anew (10 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:9 but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn
again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew ...
/a/anew.htm - 9k

Business (147 Occurrences)
... Some of them asked, "What has this beggarly babbler to say?" "His business," said
others, "seems to be to cry up some foreign gods." This was because he had ...
/b/business.htm - 42k

Beggarly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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