“But now, after you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?” (Galatians 4:9).
This portion of Galatians revolves around the theme of profound adoption or son-ship to the Father (verse 6). We know that, if we are obedient, we are a friend to Christ (John 15:14-15) and Christ indicated that if we have seen him (Christ), then we have, in essence, seen the Father (John 14:9). Therefore it is logical that our son-ship or daughter-ship to the Father should be so good we can call him “Abba” (Daddy) or address him by His Hebrew name. This is parallel gesture of both familiarity and respect, something that is not an easy human custom. However, the extreme tragedy, as outlined in verse 9 is the fact that some had come to that exuberant point of spiritual growth and then allowed themselves to slide back to the weak and beggarly elements. The King James “weak” is from the Greek word “asthenes”, meaning: weak, infirm, feeble, sick, impotent, having no strength. The King James “beggarly” is from the Greek “Ptochos”, meaning: destitute, helpless, poor with a secondary meaning of lacking in understanding drawing a parallel between a wealth of riches and a wealth of knowledge. The bondage (from the Greek “douleuo”) is real bondage, real slavery and also a metaphoric slavery, in this case, giving service to demons, those who are not gods (verse 8). At the base of idolatry is the worship of demons. We know pure angels will always refuse to be worshipped (Revelation 22:8-9).
“You observe days, and months, and times, and years” (verse 10). Here Paul is pointing out another element in their ritualistic behavior. Their observance of days, months, times (seasons) and years, was a key element of falling away. Worshippers of Dagon would be sure to eat sea creatures on sixth day of the week and their leaders would wear giant fish head hats, pointing to the sky, in defiance of God. Certain Pagans would fast on specific days of the week. The people addressed here by Paul were turning again to what they originally did, returning to their vomit (Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:22). Religious sects in and around the Roman empire had a “god” for every day of the year. The admonition Paul gave is a little different than the message Isaiah delivered. “Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates…” (Isaiah 1:14). Isaiah emphasizes “…your…feasts…” as opposed to His feasts. Paul cites no differentiation between man’s days and God’s days. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it would seem that one could even observe God’s days and do so from a strictly ritualistic approach, without appreciation that God’s days reveal the plan of God and the hope encapsulated within salvation. Within the context, however, Paul is likely addressing the very same ritualism and the same idolatry that we see in the standard religion today. And it remains just as controversial now as it was then. There is no easy way to eject a person from man’s tradition. Usually a man, convinced against his will, holds the same opinion still.
“But, in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).
Wily Elder
Bible Answers
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