galatians-4:8-5:7-niv

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Galatians 4:8

4:8 gods; (l-18) As the Hebrew in 2 Chronicles 13:9 , 'what is not God.' read more

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:1-31

The Bondage of the Law. Freedom in Christ1-7. 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 more enter upon his inheritance than a servant in the family can possess himself of it, (2) but must continue, until the set time, in a subordinate position, and under the authority and training of others. (3) So, when we were under the elementary Law system, we were in a position like that of the heir in... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:8

(8) 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 to God.”) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:8-11

(8-11) The results of the foregoing argument are now turned against the Galatians. In their old heathen state they had been in bondage to gods that were no gods. From this bondage they had been delivered. They had been raised to a true knowledge of God, and received a Father’s recognition from Him. How then could they possibly think of returning to a system of mere ceremonialism. All this painful observance of times and seasons could only make the Apostle think that his labours on their behalf... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Galatians 4:1-31

The Incarnation Galatians 4:4 Of all births this Bethlehem birth was the most unique. A superhuman life demands a superhuman birth. Let us gaze reverently into the abyssmal depths of that manger-cradle in the Bethlehem-khan. I. The first question that presents itself to us is this: 'Was it necessary that God should more fully reveal Himself to man?' We reply in the affirmative. Man had quarrelled with God; and to a rebel sinner the dim light of Nature and Providence was wholly insufficient.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:8-11

Chapter 17THE 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 up his argument. "Foolish Galatians," we seem to hear him say again, "who has bewitched you into this?" They forget the call of the Divine grace; they turn away from the sight of Christ crucified; nay, they are renouncing their adoption into the family of God. Paul knew something of the fickleness of human... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Galatians 4:1-31

CHAPTER 4 1. Under the law in the state of minority. (Galatians 4:1-3 ) 2. The Son revealed to redeem. (Galatians 4:4-5 ) 3. Because ye are Sons; the Spirit of Sonship. (Galatians 4:6-7 ) 4. The backsliding Galatians. (Galatians 4:8-20 ) 5. The sons of the bondwoman and of the free woman. (Galatians 4:21-31 ) Jewish believers were, before Christ had died, the children of God, and as such they did not differ from servants. They were in a state of minority, as children who do not know the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 4:8

4:8 {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, the Jews might have pretended some excuse as men that were born and brought up in that service of the Law. But seeing that the Galatians were taken and called out of idolatry to Christian liberty, what pretence might they have to go back to those impotent and beggarly elements? read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:1-31

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 contrasted to the position under the Law, promise being then an object of indefinite hope, a prospect unfulfilled. Verses 1 Timothy 3:0 show the Jewish position under law, the position even of the believer then, for it is of believers he is speaking. Though the child is heir and lord of all, yet in... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:1-31

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH Having established his authority as an apostle, and his right to expound the Gospel he had received, Paul now enters upon the elucidation of the latter, or rather proceeds to the defense of its cardinal teaching. This is the doctrine that man is justified only by faith in Jesus Christ without the works of the law. The same doctrine was enlarged upon in Romans, only there he was expressing the Divine side of its truth while here he is showing the human side. There he... read more