What were the Galatians doing wrong in Galatians 4?
The Galatians were reverting to legalism and law-keeping, giving up their freedom and joy and letting themselves get wrapped up again in bondage. Paul asks how they could desire to be in bondage again, since Christ died and paid it all.
Les explains that legalism is just putting people literally crawling in the dust and begging that somehow they can make it. The Galatians were going back into that stuff, giving up their freedom and joy and letting themselves get wrapped up again in legalism and law-keeping. Paul asks how they could desire to again be in bondage. Les contrasts this with a dear lady from Pennsylvania who had come out of a rigid religious background and gloried in the grace of the message, effervescent in freedom and grace. He notes that even today the human race is largely groveling in legalism and good works, trying to keep the commandments, not realizing that when Christ died, He paid it all.
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.
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.