• Galatians 4:9
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 9 νῦν now δὲ but γνόντες having known θεόν, God, μᾶλλον rather δὲ but γνωσθέντες having been known ὑπὸ by θεοῦ, God, πῶς how ἐπιστρέφετε are YOU turning upon πάλιν again ἐπὶ upon τὰ the ἀσθενῆ weak καὶ and πτωχὰ poor στοιχεῖα, elementary things, οἷς to which πάλιν again ἄνωθεν from up above δουλεῦσαι to slave θέλετε; YOU are willing?

  • Galatians 4:9
    The Bible in Living English

    • 9 But now when you do know God, or rather are known by God, how is it you are turning back again to the weak and cheap elementary things, to which you want to be in slavery over again?

  • Galatians 4:9
    American Standard Version

    • 9 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
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 9 Whereas now—Having acknowledged God,—or rather Having been acknowledged by God How turn ye back again unto the weak and beggarly elementary principles unto which over again ye are wishing to come into servitude?

  • Galatians 4:9
    King James Version

    • 9 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 Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:9

      you have come to know God: Many of the Galatian Christians had “come to know God” through Paul’s preaching. The verb rendered “come to know” and “be known” in this verse may denote a favorable relationship between the person and the one he knows. (1Co 8:3; 2Ti 2:19) So “to know God” is not just a matter of knowing basic facts about God. It involves cultivating a personal relationship with him.​—See study note on Joh 17:3.

      or, rather, have come to be known by God: Using this wording, Paul shows that to “come to know God,” a person must also be recognized as known, or approved, by Him. One lexicon defines the Greek word for “to know; be known” as to “have a personal relationship involving recognition of another’s identity or value.” To enjoy such favorable recognition from God, a person must conduct himself in a way that is in harmony with God’s personality, ways, and dealings.

      beggarly: Some Galatian Christians were turning back again to the “elementary things” they had formerly practiced. These may have included such things as human philosophies or the idea that Christians should return to keeping the Mosaic Law or at least parts of it. (Col 2:8, 16-18, 20; see study note on Ga 4:3.) Paul describes these “elementary things” as “beggarly,” using a Greek term that literally means “poor, needy.” In a figurative sense, the term could mean “miserable” or “worthless.” Such things were truly “beggarly” in comparison with the spiritual riches obtainable through Christ Jesus.