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However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are no gods.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Slavery of Idolatry
Commentators explain that before knowing Christ, the Gentile Galatians were in a state of genuine "bondage" or "slavery." They served idols which are described as "no gods by nature." Scholars like Calvin and Barnes note this servitude was rooted in an ignorance of the one true God, a state of "dreadful blindness." This past slavery makes their new freedom in Christ all the more precious.
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Galatians
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Howbeit. But, alla. The address in this verse and the following is evidently to the portion of the Galatians who had been heathen…
To them which by nature are not gods (τοις φυσε μη ουσ θεοις). In 1 Corinthians 10:20 he terms them "demons," the "so-…
19th Century
Anglican
Them which by nature are no gods.—The gods of the heathen are called by St. Paul “devils.” (See [Reference 1 Corinthians …
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For the third time (cf. 3:23ff.; 4:lff.) Paul speaks of the former enslaved state of the Galatians. His reason this time is to establish the folly …
16th Century
Protestant
But when you did not yet know God. This is not intended as an additional argument; and indeed he had already proved his point so fully tha…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Howbeit then, when you know not God Whilst in Gentilism, and in a state of unregeneracy, they had no true knowledge …
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The happy change by which the Galatians were turned from idols to the living God, and through Christ had received the adoption of sons, was the eff…
13th Century
Catholic
Having revealed the preeminence of the gift of grace and explained it with a human example, the Apostle here rebukes the Galatians, who scorned thi…
