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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Galatians 4:9 - 4:9
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Gal 4:9. Γνόντες Θεὸν, knowing God) The true God, who is a Spirit. When you know Him, and yet follow eagerly after those elements, it is the same thing as if a master should wish to return to learn the alphabet [his A B C D child’s book].-μᾶλλον, rather) it is the gift of God. He acknowledged and declared you to be His sons; comp. Exo 33:12; Exo 33:17. What belongs to God, is of the chief consequence as concerns our salvation, rather than what belongs to ourselves; comp. Php 3:12.-πῶς, how?) An interrogation expressing much wonder; Gal 1:6, I marvel.-πάλιν, again) as we have formerly been in bondage.-ἀσθενῆ καὶ πτωχὰ, weak and beggarly) Weakness opposed to filial boldness, beggarliness, to the abundance connected with the inheritance.-οἷς, to which) to elements, not to God.-πάλιν ἄνωθεν (back) again afresh) You wish to be in bondage again: now to elements, as formerly to idols; and afresh, you are in bondage to the same elements anew, by which Israel had been formerly enslaved; comp. the word again, Rom 8:15, note.-δουλεύειν, to be in bondage) in a manner unworthy of freemen.-θέλετε, you wish) See Gal 4:21, and Mar 12:38, note. [It is not every kind of readiness in wishing or desiring, that is good, Col 2:18; Col 2:23.-V. g.]