What does Paul ask the Galatians about desiring bondage again?
Paul asks the Galatians how they could desire to be in bondage again. They were going back into legalism and law-keeping, giving up their freedom and joy and letting themselves be wrapped up again in bondage. This is the opposite of the freedom they had in grace.
Les explains that the Galatians were doing the opposite of what a believer who rejoices in grace does. They were going back into legalism and law-keeping, giving up their freedom and joy, and letting themselves get wrapped up again in bondage. Paul therefore asks how they could desire to again be in bondage. Les says this is hard to understand, yet it describes the human race, which grovels in legalism and good works, trying to keep the commandments and 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?
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.
Why would anyone want to go back into bondage after being free?
People return to bondage because of the human tendency to grovel in legalism and good works, trying to keep commandments rather than resting in Christ's finished work. The Galatians gave up freedom and joy to be wrapped again in law-keeping, prompting Paul's question of how they could desire bondage again.
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.