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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gal_4:8-11
8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
Gal_4:8 "However at that time, when you did not know God" This is a perfect active participle which emphasizes a settled state. Although some modern commentators have tried to identify this with a Jewish background, it fits much better with the concept of the Gentiles who were pagans estranged from God (cf. Eph_2:12-13; Col_1:21). It is true that all humans have the potential of knowing God both from creation (Psa_19:1-5 and Rom_1:19-20) and also an inner moral witness (cf. Rom_2:14-15). This knowledge is called "natural revelation," but the Bible asserts that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, have rejected this knowledge (cf. Rom_3:23).
"Know" is used both in its Hebrew sense of interpersonal, intimate, family relationships and its Greek sense of cognitive content but the focus here is on the Greek sense as Gal_4:9 is on the Hebrew sense.
▣ "you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods" Idol worship is vain and futile (cf. Act_17:29 and 1Co_8:4-5). However, Paul asserted that behind the vanity of idol worship is demonic activity (cf. 1Co_10:20; Rev_9:20). Mankind's slavery to the demonic is also implied in the verb of 1Co_12:2. Paul may have been referring to one of several possible things:
1. the stoicheia of Gal_4:3; Gal_4:9
2. pagan idols
3. demons behind pagan idols
4. the Jewish Law, which in its legalism and ritualism had replaced YHWH
Gal_4:9 "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God" The time element in Gal_4:8 is contrasted with Gal_4:9. In Gal_4:9 Paul used another powerful, rhetorical question as he did in Gal_3:1-5; Gal_3:19; Gal_3:21; Gal_4:15. "Know" (ginôskô) in Gal_4:9 is a different, and perhaps, more relational Greek word choice than the term used in Gal_4:8 (oida), although it is hard to make this distinction in Koine Greek. This term theologically carries the Hebrew connotation of knowledge as an interpersonal relationship (cf. Gen_4:1; Jer_1:5). Their new relationship was not based on facts about God but God's initiating a new covenant through Christ with those who had been estranged (cf. Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13).
NASB "how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things"
NKJV "how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements"
NRSV "how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits"
TEV "how is it that you want to turn back to those weak and pitiful ruling spirits"
NJB "how can you want to go back to elemental things like these, that can do nothing and give nothing"
This is a present active indicative of a Greek term that reflects the OT concept (shuv, BDB 996) of repentance (turning back). This verse contains the word stoicheia, as in Gal_4:3. They were trading the slavery of paganism for the slavery of Judaism as a means of salvation. Both Judaism and paganism were subject to the stoicheia (see note at Gal_4:8)! These fallen world structures are completely inadequate to bring salvation.
The stoichea are described as "weak and worthless," which is parallel to Col_2:15; Col_2:20.
Gal_4:10 "You observe days and months and seasons and years" This is a present middle indicative representing continuing action, in this case, a personal, scrupulous religious observance—a reference to the Jewish religious calendar (cf. Col_2:16). These Galatians were exchanging one religious calendar (pagan) for another (Jewish). Paul's understanding of the gospel allowed him to apply the truth to different situations. The situation in the Galatian churches required Paul to oppose legalism and works righteousness. However, in Romans 14, Paul encouraged strong believers not to judge weaker believers who respected certain days (cf. Rom_14:5-6). In Galatians it is a matter of the proper understanding of the gospel, in Romans it concerns Christian fellowship (cf. 1 Corinthians 8, 10).
Gal_4:11
NASB "I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain"
NKJV "I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain"
NRSV "I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted"
TEV "I am afraid for you! Can it be that all my work for you has been for nothing"
NJB "You make me feel I have wasted my time with you"
Several modern versions translate this verse in reference to Paul's labor among the Galatian churches (cf. JB and Revised English Bible). However, this verse could be related to Paul's concern for the Galatian believers themselves (cf. TEV). There are two possibilities.
1. Paul was not doubting their salvation but rather their usefulness in spreading, living, and enjoying the radically free gospel
2. Paul was fearful they were rejecting grace for human performance (cf. Gal_3:4; Gal_5:2-4)