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 to be in bondage?
Original Language Analysis
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
1 of 23
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
γνωσθέντες
after that ye have known
G1097
γνωσθέντες
after that ye have known
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
3 of 23
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
γνωσθέντες
after that ye have known
G1097
γνωσθέντες
after that ye have known
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
7 of 23
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
8 of 23
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
10 of 23
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
12 of 23
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀσθενῆ
the weak
G772
ἀσθενῆ
the weak
Strong's:
G772
Word #:
15 of 23
strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πτωχὰ
beggarly
G4434
πτωχὰ
beggarly
Strong's:
G4434
Word #:
17 of 23
akin to g4422 and the alternate of g4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e., pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used i
στοιχεῖα
elements
G4747
στοιχεῖα
elements
Strong's:
G4747
Word #:
18 of 23
something orderly in arrangement, i.e., (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)
οἷς
whereunto
G3739
οἷς
whereunto
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
20 of 23
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ἄνωθεν
G509
Cross References
1 Corinthians 8:3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.Galatians 3:3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?Romans 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.2 Peter 2:20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.Hebrews 7:18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.Ephesians 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:Exodus 33:17And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Historical Context
Paul's equation of Judaism with paganism as equally "weak and beggarly elements" was scandalous. Jewish opponents saw themselves as possessing divine truth while pagans had false religion. Paul argues both are elementary, external, enslaving systems contrasted with Spirit-empowered gospel freedom. This wasn't anti-Semitism but theological critique: any religion based on human performance rather than grace in Christ—whether pagan ritual or Jewish law—enslaves and bankrupts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that God knew and chose you before you knew Him transform your sense of security and stability?
- In what ways are you tempted to return to 'weak and beggarly' religious systems that promise much but deliver spiritual poverty?
- Why is legalism (religious law-keeping) so seductive despite being enslaving and spiritually bankrupt?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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 to be in bondage? Paul's bewildered rebuke. "But now, after that ye have known God" (nyn de gnontes theon)—dramatic contrast with verse 8. They've come to know God through the gospel. Paul immediately corrects: "or rather are known of God" (mallon de gnōsthentes hypo theou). God's knowledge of us precedes and causes our knowledge of Him. Election and calling come first; human response follows.
"How turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements" (pōs epistrephete palin epi ta asthenē kai ptōcha stoicheia). "Weak" (asthenē, ἀσθενῆ) means powerless, unable to save. "Beggarly" (ptōcha, πτωχά) means poverty-stricken, bankrupt—these elementary principles are spiritually bankrupt, offering nothing of value. "Turn again" (epistrephete palin)—shockingly, to embrace law-observance is to return to the same category as pagan religion. "Whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage" (hois palin anōthen douleusai thelete)—they want to be enslaved again. This reveals the seductive power of legalism: it feels spiritual but produces slavery.