Galatians 4:8
Galatians 4:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Formerly, when they did not know God, the Galatians were enslaved to beings that are not truly gods.
What Does Galatians 4:8 Mean?
Paul recalls their past. Before they knew the true God, they served idols — beings that by nature are not gods at all. Their old religion bound them to empty powers, a slavery they did not even recognize as such.
He reminds them of this bondage to set up a warning. They had been rescued from serving false gods. To now take up the burdens the troublers offered would be a tragic step backward, exchanging one form of slavery for another, as the next verse makes clear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 4:8
What does Galatians 4:8 mean?
Formerly, when they did not know God, the Galatians were enslaved to beings that are not truly gods.