Galatians 4:9 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

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? Now, after that ye have known God - After having been brought to the knowledge of God as your Savior.

Or rather are known of God - Are approved of him, having received the adoption of sons.

To the weak and beggarly elements - After receiving all this, will ye turn again to the ineffectual rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law - rites too weak to counteract your sinful habits, and too poor to purchase pardon and eternal life for you? If the Galatians were turning again to them, it is evident that they had been once addicted to them. And this they might have been, allowing that they had become converts from heathenism to Judaism, and from Judaism to Christianity. This makes the sense consistent between the 8th and 9th verses.

Galatians 4:9

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye againb to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?