“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?”
But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? — Paul's correction is devastating: knowledge of God is mutual ('epiginōskō' — know deeply, but corrected to 'epiginōskō hypo theou' — be known by God, emphasizing God's initiative), and yet the Galatians are reverting ('epistrephō' — turn back) to the 'stoicheia' (basic principles), now equated with slavery, as if their freedom in Christ were temporary.
Church Fathers on Galatians 4:9
“Howbeit at that time not knowing God, you were bondage to them which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God — or rather to be known by God — how do you turn back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments whereunto you desire to be in bondage over again.” Here turning to the Gentile believers he says that it is an idolatry, this rigid observance of days, and now incurs a severe punishment. To enforce this, and inspire them with a deeper anxiety, he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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