Skip to content
mannafest.faith
Read

Galatians 4:8

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:

KJV

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

⋯

Commentary

2 voices

Voices on this verse

loading…

Original language & word study

12 tagged words
OriginalTransliterationMeaningWord study
ἈλλὰAllaButG235 →
τότεtoteat that timeG5119 →
μὲνmenindeedG3303 →
οὐκouknotG3756 →
εἰδότεςeidotesknowing
θεὸνtheonGodG2316 →
ἐδουλεύσατεedouleusateyou were enslavedG1398 →
τοῖςtoisto thoseG3588 →
φύσειphuseiby natureG5449 →
μὴmēnotG3361 →
οὖσινousinbeingG1510 →
θεοῖς·theoisgods;G2316 →

The walk

Related verses

18 strongest cross-references

The gold bar shows how strongly the cross-reference sources tie the two verses together: a long bar means many compiled references make the connection, a short one means few.

Ephesians 2:12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.1 Corinthians 8:4So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.1 Thessalonians 4:5not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;Ephesians 2:11–12Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—1 Thessalonians 1:9For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true GodJeremiah 5:7“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.Isaiah 37:19They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.1 Corinthians 10:19–20Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?2 Thessalonians 1:8in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.2 Chronicles 13:9But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.1 Corinthians 1:21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.1 Peter 4:3For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.Joshua 24:15But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”Ephesians 4:18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.Jeremiah 10:25Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the families that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have consumed him and finished him off; they have devastated his homeland.Isaiah 44:9–20All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.Jeremiah 10:3–16For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.

Featured studies on this passage

Walks through Galatians 4

Hagar and Sarah: the Allegory, MannaFest

Open the study →

Christ Pantocrator, Saint Catherine's Monastery — Unknown (Byzantine monk-painter)

Walks through Galatians 4

Jesus on the Father

Open the study →

Judas Maccabeus before the Army of Nicanor — engraving by Gustave Doré

Walks through Galatians 4

The Intertestamental Period

Open the study →

Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives — David Roberts

Walks through Galatians 4

Zion & Jerusalem

Open the study →

About Galatians

The Crucifixion — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
The Crucifixion — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
Galatians: the study guide →Read chapter 4 →The featured study →
Continue: Galatians 4 →