What does 'beggarly' mean in Galatians 4:9?
In Galatians 4:9, 'beggarly' means weak, groveling, and begging for mercy. It describes the law and legalism as having no power to lift people out of bondage or paganism. Such elements are a dust-grovelling system, contrasted with the believer’s glorified position as God’s child and heir.
Les teaches that the Galatians were no longer in paganism or worshipping wood and stone; they had known God, or rather were known of God, because they were His children. Paul therefore asks why they would turn again to the weak and beggarly elements. Les explains that 'beggarly' means groveling and begging for mercy. The law and legalism were beggarly and weak, with absolutely no power to lift people out of bondage and paganism. He compares this to Hebrews, where the former things were good but the new things are a thousand times better. Since believers' feet are planted on something solid, they are heirs with God and have the Holy Spirit to direct them, so turning back to a dust-grovelling system makes no sense.
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 does it mean that the law's elements are "beggarly" in Galatians 4:9?
To be "beggarly" means to be groveling and begging for mercy, exactly what the word implies.
What are the 'beggarly and weak elements' in Galatians 4:9?
The 'beggarly and weak elements' Paul warns against refer to religion, ritual, service, and attempts to appease a holy God.