What had the Galatians left behind before Paul asked why they were turning back?
The Galatians had left behind paganism—worshipping wood and stone—and had come to know God, or rather be known by Him. They had been placed on a solid foundation as heirs with God, with the Holy Spirit to direct them, before Paul questioned why they would turn back to weak and beggarly elements.
Les explains that the Galatians were no longer in paganism, no longer worshipping wood and stone. They had known God, or rather were known of God, and God knew them personally because they were His children. They had been given a glorified position, their feet planted on something solid, they were heirs with God, and they had the Holy Spirit to direct them. So Les emphasizes Paul's question: why, after having it so good, turn again to the weak and beggarly elements? He identifies these as the law and legalism, a dust-grovelling system that is weak and beggarly, begging for mercy and having no power to lift people out of bondage. The contrast is between the good things they had and the beggarly system they were turning back to.
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 are the "weak and beggarly elements" Paul says the Galatians were turning back to?
Paul calls the law and legalism the "weak and beggarly elements" that the Galatians were turning back to.