Galatians Chapter 4 · Verse 8

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Original Language Analysis

Ἀλλὰ Howbeit G235
Ἀλλὰ Howbeit
Strong's: G235
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τότε then G5119
τότε then
Strong's: G5119
Word #: 2 of 12
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
μὲν G3303
μὲν
Strong's: G3303
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 4 of 12
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
εἰδότες when ye knew G1492
εἰδότες when ye knew
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 5 of 12
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
θεοῖς· God G2316
θεοῖς· God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐδουλεύσατε ye did service G1398
ἐδουλεύσατε ye did service
Strong's: G1398
Word #: 7 of 12
to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ no G3361
μὴ no
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 9 of 12
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φύσει unto them which by nature G5449
φύσει unto them which by nature
Strong's: G5449
Word #: 10 of 12
growth (by germination or expansion), i.e., (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native
οὖσιν are G5607
οὖσιν are
Strong's: G5607
Word #: 11 of 12
being
θεοῖς· God G2316
θεοῖς· God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 12 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Cross References

1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.1 Thessalonians 4:5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:1 Thessalonians 1:9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Isaiah 37:19And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.1 Corinthians 1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.2 Chronicles 13:9Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.1 Peter 4:3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:Jeremiah 10:25Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.Ephesians 4:18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Analysis & Commentary

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. Paul reminds the Gentile Galatians of their pagan past. "Howbeit then" (alla tote men)—contrasting their previous condition. "When ye knew not God" (ouk eidotes theon)—their pre-Christian ignorance of the true God. To not know God is spiritual death, the root of idolatry. "Ye did service" (edouleusate, ἐδουλεύσατε)—you served as slaves, you were enslaved.

"Unto them which by nature are no gods" (tois physei mē ousin theois)—to beings that by nature aren't gods at all. Pagan deities were non-entities, whether demons (1 Corinthians 10:20) or mere human imagination. Either way, not truly divine. The Galatians had been enslaved to worthless, powerless, non-existent gods. Their slavery was to illusion. Paul's point: having been liberated from bondage to false gods, why would they return to bondage under law's elementary principles? Both enslave; neither saves.

Historical Context

The Galatian region had various pagan cults: Cybele (mother goddess), Men (moon god), Zeus, and others. Pagan religion involved sacrifices, festivals, sacred days, ritual purity—external observances not unlike Judaism. Paul's equation of law-observance with pagan religion was offensive but strategic: both are external, works-based systems that enslave. Both miss the gospel of internal transformation through the Spirit. The Judaizers promised the Galatians maturity through law; Paul showed they'd simply exchange one form of slavery for another.

Questions for Reflection