1. Last week I taught in part Gal 4:8 and when time expired we were about to analyze the phrase are no gods.

Transcription

1 Galatians Lesson o16 1. Last week I taught in part Gal 4:8 and when time expired we were about to analyze the phrase are no gods. 2. Before we continue you may want to use the provisions of 1Jo 1:9 by silently naming your sin to God as the Holy Spirit may show. 3. Let s see how Gal 4:1-7 looks by way of an expanded translation. Expanded Translation Gal 4:1 What I am saying is that the heir, as long as he is a small child is no different from a slave although being lord of all; Gal 4:2 but most assuredly such an one is under the guardianship of a fiduciary (the law) until that certain time established by God the father. Gal 4:3 So also when we were infants; we were enslaved under the absolute control of the world s intellectual and religious systems. Gal 4:4 but when in God s perfect timing God sent His Son born under the law to a virgin named Mary in the city of Bethlehem in the province of Judah; Gal 4:5 to redeem them who were formerly under the Mosaic law in order that they might receive the adoption of sons. Gal 4:6 Moreover, because you are now sons, God the Father has sent the Spirit of his Son, Jesus Christ, into your right lobes, where He cries out, "Abba, Father." 1

2 Gal 4:7 Consequently you are no longer under bondage; therefore you are also an heir because the Father has been completely satisfied through and by means of the work of Jesus the Christ. 4. I want to review some of that learned last week. 5. So far we have analyzed that portion of Gal 4:8 which in the KJV has been translated Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature noting it might better be rendered Indeed most assuredly when as an unbeliever you knew not God you chose to serve those gods who were in essence The entire verse has been translated in the KJV: KJV-New Sentence Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 7. Let s first review what we have exegeted thus far: HOWBEIT THEN, 1. Alla Tote Men is better translated Indeed most assuredly when 2. Alla by itself is often translated howbeit. In the old English we often see nevertheless. 3. Tote appears more than 100 times where it is most often in the KJV translated then. In our verse it is better rendered when. In the NIV we do see Tote translated that. WHEN YE KNEW NOT GOD, 1. Ouk Oida Theos is better translated as an unbeliever you knew not God 2. The assumption of Paul is that when the Galatians were unbelievers they had no knowledge of God. YE DID SERVICE UNTO THEM 1. Douleuo Tois is better translated you did serve various false gods as slaves 2

3 2. Douleuo appears 25 times in Scripture where it is translated serve, having served, serving, hath served, bondage, or doing service. WHICH BY NATURE 1. Phusis is better translated which in the essence of the matter 2. Phusis appears 13 times in the New Testament where it is translated essence, native condition, birth, natural frame, native instinct or native species. 3. Now for new material and the phrase are no gods. ARE NO GODS. 1. Me Eimi Theos is better translated are not gods at all. 2. Me is a negative adverb followed by the verb Eimi parsed as a present active participle and the proper noun Theos declined as a dative plural. 3. Keep in mind the unbelievers in the province of Galatia to whom Paul addresses his warning came in various shapes and sizes. However, it is just as clear there were many who worshipped Astaroth and many who worshipped as deist the God of the Old Testament. 3.1 Many of the latter believed in keeping the Mosaic law for their salvation. Both are equally condemned by Paul in Gal 4:8. 4. Now let s see how our entire verse looks by way of an expanded translation. Expanded Translation Gal 4:8 As an unbeliever you knew not God but you chose to serve those who were in the essence of the matter, not gods at all. 5. Now let s see what we can learn from Gal 4:9. KJV-Sentence continues Gal 4:9 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? NIV Gal 4:9 But now that you know God -- or rather are known by God -- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 3

4 BUT NOW, 1. De Nun is well translated but now 2. De is a conjunction used as an adversative followed by the adverb of time Nun. AFTER THAT YE HAVE KNOWN GOD, 1. Ginosko Theos is better translated after having known God 2. Ginosko is a verb parsed as an aorist active participle and the proper noun Theos declined as an accusative singular. 3. Aorist participles should convey action that precedes the action of the main verb. And that is what we have here both in the KJV and the NIV. In other words you desired those who were not gods even after having believed on the Lord Jesus and acquired a personal relationship with the Father Abba Himself. Wuest Translation Gal 4:9 But now having come to know God, indeed having become known of God, how is it possible that you are now turning back again to those weak and beggardly rudimentary principles, ye are bent on being again in bondage. 4. Let me review several points about the Greek word Ginosko translated in the KJV ye have known. 5. Ginosko appears more than 200 times in the New Testament where it is variously translated knew, know, knoweth, perceived, understand, perceived, had they known or knowing. 6. Several uses of Ginosko are: Mat 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Mat 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Mat 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Mat 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 4

5 1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. End Lesson Taught The Westbank Bible Church does not seek donations nor do we authorize any business to solicit same on behalf of the Church. 5