Galatians 4:9

King James Version (KJV)

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?

Translations

Galatians 4:9 - Amplified Bible

Now, however, that you have come to be acquainted with {and} understand {and} know [the true] God, or rather to be understood {and} known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly {and} worthless elementary things [of all religions before Christ came], whose slaves you once more want to become?

Galatians 4:9 - American Standard Version

but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?

Galatians 4:9 - Bible in Basic English

But now that you have come to have knowledge of God, or more truly, God has knowledge of you, how is it that you go back again to the poor and feeble first things, desiring to be servants to them again?

Galatians 4:9 - Darby Bible

but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage?

Galatians 4:9 - English Standard Version

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Galatians 4:9 - King James Version

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?

Galatians 4:9 - La Biblia de las Americas

Pero ahora que conocéis a Dios, o más bien, que sois conocidos por Dios, ¿còmo es que os volvéis otra vez a las cosas débiles, inùtiles y elementales, a las cuales deseáis volver a estar esclavizados de nuevo?

Galatians 4:9 - The Message

Galatians 4:9 - New American Standard Bible

But 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?

Galatians 4:9 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Pero ahora que conocen a Dios, o más bien, que son conocidos por Dios, ¿còmo es que se vuelven otra vez a las cosas débiles, inùtiles (sin valor) y elementales, a las cuales desean volver a estar esclavizados de nuevo?

Galatians 4:9 - World English Bible

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elements, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?

Galatians 4:9 - Young's Living Translation

and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude?

Galatians 4:9 - Additional Comments

What an interesting way to describe having a relationship with God - being known by God. That means before we become a Christian, we cannot say we are known by God. In fact, in a parable, Jesus describes God telling the workers of iniquity "I never knew you" - Luke 13:25-27. This is a special knowledge, indicating a special relationship. What an amazing statement, that we are known by God, that God knows me.
In verse 8 it describes the master we used to have before Christ. Even though we have received a new master, we continue to turn back to the old master, which was weak (powerless) and poor (one in need). We either give ourselves to the master who has power and wealth and love, or the master who's weak, needy, and without care.
The master that is of the world places you in bondage (see also Acts 8:23), instead of the freedom we have in Christ (see vs 24-26, 5:1).

Comments are closed.