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Selected Verse: Galatians 4:9 - King James

Verse         Translation Text
Ga 4:9 King James 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?

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
known God or rather are known of God--They did not first know and love God, but God first, in His electing love, knew and loved them as His, and therefore attracted them to the saving knowledge of Him (Mat 7:23; Co1 8:3; Ti2 2:19; compare Exo 33:12, Exo 33:17; Joh 15:16; Phi 3:12). God's great grace in this made their fall from it the more heinous.

how--expressing indignant wonder at such a thing being possible, and even actually occurring (Gal 1:6). "How is it that ye turn back again?"

weak--powerless to justify: in contrast to the justifying power of faith (Gal 3:24; compare Heb 7:18).

beggarly--contrasted with the riches of the inheritance of believers in Christ (Eph 1:18). The state of the "child" (Gal 4:1) is weak, as not having attained manhood; "beggarly," as not having attained the inheritance.

elements--"rudiments." It is as if a schoolmaster should go back to learning the A, B, C'S [BENGEL].

again--There are two Greek words in the original. "Ye desire again, beginning afresh, to be in bondage." Though the Galatians, as Gentiles, had never been under the Mosaic yoke, yet they had been under "the elements of the world" (Gal 4:3): the common designation for the Jewish and Gentile systems alike, in contrast to the Gospel (however superior the Jewish was to the Gentile). Both systems consisted in outward worship and cleaved to sensible forms. Both were in bondage to the elements of sense, as though these could give the justification and sanctification which the inner and spiritual power of God alone could bestow.

ye desire--or "will." Will-worship is not acceptable to God (Col 2:18, Col 2:23).
 
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23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 And 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.
12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
3 For 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:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
12 For 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.