Galatians 4:9

“But now, after that ye have known God, etc.,] God in Christ, as their covenant God and Father, through the preaching of the Gospel, and in the light of divine grace; God having caused light to shine in their dark hearts; and having given them the light of the knowledge of himself in the face of Christ, and having sent down into their hearts the Spirit of his Son, crying “Abba”, Father. Or rather are known of God; for it is but little that the best of these, that have the greatest share of knowledge, know of him; and what knowledge they have, they have it first, originally, and wholly from him: that knowledge which he has of them is particular, distinct, and complete; and is to be understood,…”

“known God or rather are known of God--They did not first know and love God, but God first, in His electing love, knew and loved them as His, and therefore attracted them to the saving knowledge of Him (Mat 7:23; Co1 8:3; Ti2 2:19; compare Exo 33:12, Exo 33:17; Joh 15:16; Phi 3:12). God's great grace in this made their fall from it the more heinous. how--expressing indignant wonder at such a thing being possible, and even actually occurring (Gal 1:6). "How is it that ye turn back again?" weak--powerless to justify: in contrast to the justifying power of faith (Gal 3:24; compare Heb 7:18). beggarly--contrasted with the riches of the inheritance of believers in Christ (Eph 1:18). The state of…”

“But now ... - The sense is, that since they had been made free from their ignoble servitude in the worship of false gods, and had been admitted to the freedom found in the worship of the true God, it was absurd that they should return again to that which was truly slavery or bondage, the observance of the rites of the Jewish law. That ye have known God - The true God, and the ease and freedom of his service in the gospel. Or rather are known of God - The sense is, “Or, to speak more accurately or precisely, are known by God.” The object of this correction is to avoid the impression which might be derived from the former phrase that their acquaintance with God was owing to themselves. He…”

“But now being known of God - As his beloved children. How turn ye back to the weak and poor elements - Weak, utterly unable to purge your conscience from guilt, or to give that filial confidence in God. Poor - incapable of enriching the soul with such holiness and happiness as ye are heirs to. Ye desire to be again in bondage - Though of another kind; now to these elements, as before to those idols. Galatians 4:10”

“4:9 now that you know God: Christians have a relationship with God that is like a child to a parent rather than a slave to a master (4:5-7). • why do you want to go back? Paul was perplexed (cp. 4:19-20) that Christians who had this standing would want to return to their old life of slavery. • now that God knows you: God is the agent of salvation and had taken the initiative in laying their souls bare (cp. Ps 139:1-6, 23-24; Luke 2:34-35; Heb 4:12) and forgiving them freely. • By turning to circumcision, the Galatians would be returning to the same useless spiritual principles of this world that they had known under paganism. In both cases, one must work to satisfy an unyielding master.”

“ye have: Kg1 8:43; Ch1 28:9; Psa 9:10; Pro 2:5; Jer 31:34; Hab 2:14; Mat 11:27; Joh 17:3; Co1 15:34; Co2 4:6; Eph 1:17; Pe2 2:20; Jo1 2:3, Jo1 2:4, Jo1 5:20 are known: Exo 33:17; Psa 1:6; Joh 10:14, Joh 10:27; Rom 8:29; Co1 8:3, Co1 13:12; Ti2 2:19 how: Gal 3:3; Rom 8:3; Col 2:20-23; Heb 7:18 again: or, back, Heb 10:38, Heb 10:39 elements: or, rudiments, Gal 4:3 Galatians 4:10”