Commentary on Galatians 4:8-11

Text in red are my additions.

THE GALATIANS MUST NOT RETURN TO SLAVERY

A Summary of Galatians 4:8-11~Before their conversion the Galatians were slaves to material things, not knowing God; but since, how different has been their state? Would they put themselves back into religious slavery, without their former excuse of ignorance? The address is now more directly to the Gentiles.

Gal 4:8. But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.

Then, i.e., in your former condition as pagans.

Not knowing God, i.e., being ignorant of the one true God; the Creator of all things.

You served, i.e., you were enslaved to (εδουλευσατε) them who were in reality no gods at all, but to whom in your worship you gave the place of gods. See comments on Rom 1:18-23.

Gal 4:9. But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements, which you desire to serve again?

But now, etc., i.e., after your conversion, when you have come to have a more perfect knowledge (γνοντες, which indicates a progress from the ειδοτες of the preceding verse) of God; and further, after having been known by Him, i.e., having been the object of His graces and benefits (1 Cor 8:3): how turn you again, etc. This last phrase, with the verb in the present and the use of again, shows that the Galatians were already on the wrong road. (Note: verse 8 reads, But then indeed, not knowing (ειδοτες) God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods. This verse reads, But now, after that you have known (γνοντες) God, &c).

Elements. See above, on verse 3. These former rites and practices are called weak because unable to justify and lead man to salvation; and needy, because, at best, they were only shadows and figures of future realities (Heb 7:18; Heb 10:1). The Apostle is warning the Galatians against submission to the Mosaic Law, which would mean a return to servitude.

Gal 4:10. You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

St. Paul here enumerates some of the Jewish practices which the Galatians are already observing.

Days, i.e., Sabbaths.

Months, i.e., the observance of the new moon, the first month (Nisan), the seventh month (Tisri).

Times, i.e., the feasts of Pasch, Pentecost, Tabernacles.

Years, i.e., the sabbatical and jubilee years. They commenced with their general Jewish observances, which would not be offensive to converts from paganism, intending gradually to introduce all, or at least the most distinctive of the Mosaic practices.

Gal 4:11. I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.

I am afraid, etc., i.e., I fear you, or for you (Lagrange). The Apostle fears that his labors among the Galatians may not, after all, be unto their eternal salvation; if for the servitude of paganism, from which he liberated them, they substitute the servitude of the Mosaic Law.