Who was Paul referring to in Galatians 4:8-9?
Paul was referring to his converts from paganism—people recently steeped in idolatry, idol worship, mythology, and ritual service. Though they had come out of that darkness into the light of Paul’s gospel, he addressed them as those who had formerly been in that pagan system before knowing God.
Les explains that Paul’s converts came religiously out of paganism. The whole world around Paul was steeped in mythology, idol worship, and ritual services. Les points to Paul at Athens, where he passed a row of idols and found one titled to the unknown God; Paul called the people too superstitious. Superstition, Les says, is man’s fear of and opposition to evil powers, not man seeking God. In Galatians 4:8–9, Paul uses that same analogy for people recently steeped in idolatry and paganism who had now come out of darkness into the light of Paul’s gospel. So he is referring to those converts from paganism whom he is now addressing.
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
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?
More Questions
What word does Paul use in Galatians 4:8 that he also used in Romans?
The word 'service' Paul uses in Galatians 4:8 is the same word he used back in Romans (Romans 9:4).