Why should believers not turn back to legalism according to Galatians 4?
Believers should not return to legalism because the law is weak and beggarly, a dust-grovelling system with no power to lift people out of bondage. Since they now know God and are known by Him as His children, heirs with God and having the Holy Spirit, turning back to powerless legalism makes no sense.
Les teaches that these believers had come out of paganism, no longer worshipping wood and stone. Now that God knows them personally and they are His children, the text asks why they would turn again to weak and beggarly elements. Les defines beggarly as groveling and begging for mercy. The law and legalism are beggarly, weak, and have absolutely no power to lift people out of bondage and paganism. Les also compares this to Hebrews: the old things were good, but now believers have something better—solid footing, being an heir with God, and the Holy Spirit to direct them. Therefore, turning back to legalism is senseless because it is a dust-grovelling system.
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 Paul call the law and legalism in Galatians 4:9?
Paul calls the law and legalism the 'weak and beggarly elements' that the Galatians were turning back to.
What are the 'beggarly and weak elements' Paul tells the Galatians not to turn back to?
The 'beggarly and weak elements' Paul warns about are religion, ritual, service, and attempts at somehow appeasing a holy God, and believers are to have none of that.
What does going back under the law amount to according to Galatians 4:9?
Going back to the weak and beggarly elements of the law after being saved by grace is a desire to be in bondage.