Galatians 4:8 Commentary, explanation, study verse by verse

“ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. ”

Galatians 4:8 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Howbeit - But, ἀλλὰ alla. The address in this verse and the following is evidently to the portion of the Galatians who had been pagan. This is probably indicated by the particle ἀλλὰ...
Galatians 4:8 - Arno Geneva Study Bible

(4) Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. (4) He applies the former doctrine to the Galatians, with a special rebuke: for in comparison with them,...
Galatians 4:8 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

The state of the Galatians, while heathen, was similar but worse. They had not been heirs in a state of temporary slavery, but frankly slaves to the mere element-spirits, those undivine gods they wor...
Galatians 4:8 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

knew. Greek. oida , App-132. not. Greek. ou . App-105. did service. Greek. douleuo . App-190. Compare Galatians 4:3 . unto . to. no . not. Greek. me . App-105. gods . App-98,
Galatians 4:8 - Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

8. But when ye as yet knew not God. This is not intended as an additional argument; and indeed he had already proved his point so fully, that no doubt remained, and the rebuke which was now...
Galatians 4:8 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. When ye knew not God - Though it is evident, from the complexion of the whole of this epistle, that the great...
Galatians 4:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ye did service unto them, &c.— Ye were in bondage unto those which, &c. See on Galatians 4:1 . It is evident here, that though these Christians had, before their conversion, been idolatr...
Galatians 4:8 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. Howbeit - contrast of their former with their present state. Appeal not to turn back from their privi...
Galatians 4:8 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

The Bondage of the Law. Freedom in Christ 1-7. Under the Law we were in bondage; under the Gospel we have received the freedom of sons. Paraphrase. '(1) The heir before he comes of age can no m...
Galatians 4:8 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Them which by nature are no gods. — The gods of the heathen are called by St. Paul “devils.” (See 1 Corinthians 10:20 : “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to devils, and not...
Galatians 4:8 - Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

Chapter 17 THE RETURN TO BONDAGE. Galatians 4:8-11 "Sons of God, whom He made His heirs in Christ, how are you turning back to legal bondage!" Such is the appeal with which the Apostle follows...
Galatians 4:8 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

Live as Sons, not as Bondmen Galatians 4:1-11 The Apostle often uses the word elements or “rudiments,” Galatians 4:3 ; Galatians 4:9 ; Colossians 2:8 ; Colossians 2:20 . High and holy as...
Galatians 4:8 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

He now declared the process of freedom. "God sent forth His Son... under the law." Thus the law He kept was justified, and He lived thereby. But more than this, He bore its penalty, and so procured j...
Galatians 4:8 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

(7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (8) В¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods....
Galatians 4:8 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Howbeit then, when ye know not God ,.... Whilst in Gentilism, and in a state of unregeneracy, they had no true knowledge of God; though they might know by the light of nature, and works of creation,...
Galatians 4:8 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. Ver. 8. Ye did service ] Here all religious service done to any but God is manifestly condemned as impiou...
Galatians 4:8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Howbeit Αλλα, but , or however , that ye Gentiles may not foolishly reject, neglect, or forfeit your privileges, as the sons of God, you ought to remember what your condition was while under the...
Galatians 4:8 - L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

HOW CHILDREN ARE ADOPTED AS SONS (vs.1-7) The first few verses of chapter 4 give us the distinctive Christian position in more detail. This position is the result of promise accomplished, as cont...
Galatians 4:8 - Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Affectionate Remonstrance. A. D. 56. 8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service un...
Galatians 4:8 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

When ye knew not God, as he is, or as ye ought to have known him, or as, since, you have known him; for even the heathen have some knowledge of God, Romans 1:21 . Ye did service unto them which...
Galatians 4:8 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘But at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature were no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known of God, how do you turn back again to the we...
Galatians 4:8 - Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES Galatians 4:9 . How turn ye again [anew]?—Making a new beginning in religion, lapsing from Christianity just in as far as they embrace legalism. To the weak and...
Galatians 4:8 - Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible

Galatians 4:1-5 . Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the f...
Galatians 4:8 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Galatians 4:1 . The heir, as long as he is a child, and a minor, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all. He is under guardians, till the year appointed by the will of his f...
Galatians 4:8 - The Biblical Illustrator

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. The three estates of the Galatian Church I. Before their conversion. 1. Ignorance of God. There is a...
Galatians 4:8 - The Complete Pulpit Commentary

EXPOSITION Galatians 4:1 Now I say (λέγω δέ). A form of expression usual with the apostle when introducing a new statement designed either to explain or elucidate something before said...
Galatians 4:8 - The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann

Howbeit, then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Galatians 4:8 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:21 ; 1 Corinthians 10:19 ; 1 Corinthians 10:20 ; 1 Corinthians 12:2 ; 1 Corinthians 8:4 ; 1 John 3:1 ; 1 Peter 4:3 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:5 ; 2 Thessaloni...
Galatians 4:8 - Wells of Living Water Commentary

Turning unto Law-Works Galatians 4:1-22 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. It is passing strange that, after we have come to know salvation by grace, we could turn back to the beggarly elements of salvatio...
Galatians 4:8 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Indeed then when ye knew not God, ye served them that by nature — That is, in reality. Are no gods — And so were under a far worse bondage than even that of the Jews. For they did serve the true Go...

Galatians 4:8 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Arno Geneva Study Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Galatians 4:8 - Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

Galatians 4:8 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Galatians 4:8 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Galatians 4:8 - L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible

Galatians 4:8 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Galatians 4:8 - The Biblical Illustrator

Galatians 4:8 - The Complete Pulpit Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann

Galatians 4:8 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 4:8 - Wells of Living Water Commentary

Galatians 4:8 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes