4:9a
But: There is a contrast between 4:8 and 4:9. The contrast is between not knowing God (4:8a) and knowing God. The Berean Standard Bible introduces this contrast with the conjunction But.
Another way to translate this is:
However
now that you know God: This clause indicates that these Galatians had become believers.
Another way to translate this clause is:
now that you have come to know God (English Standard Version)
4:9b
or rather: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or rather indicates that Paul wanted to clarify what he had just said.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
or, I should say (Good News Translation)
-or-
or better still (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
actually
are known by God: The verb are known is a passive verb. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
• As a passive. For example:
are known of God (King James Version)
• As an active. For example:
God knows you (Good News Translation)
4:9c
how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this question to rebuke the Galatians strongly. He indicated that when the Galatians obey the laws of Moses such as circumcision, it was the same as returning to the pagan religion of their former lives. This was a startling and shocking statement.
Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
why are you turning back to those weak and worthless elementary principles again?
• As statement followed by a question. For example:
surely you do not wish to turn back and obey those weak and worthless elementary principles, do you?
• As a statement. For example:
I am shocked that you should turn back to obey/follow those weak and worthless rules and laws. You should never do that!
Use whichever form is most natural in your language to express a rebuke.
are turning back: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are turning back indicates that the Galatians were returning to their pagan ways. They were abandoning the gospel and starting to follow the laws of Moses. It was the same as returning to customs that they previously obeyed before they became believers.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
return to follow/obey
-or-
turn back and become the slaves (Contemporary English Version)
those weak and worthless principles: The adjectives weak and worthless indicate that the weak and worthless principles have no power to save us and are of no value.
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as principles refers to the rules, laws, customs, and principles of this world. It is the same Greek word that was used in 4:3b. You should translate here as you did there.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
customs and law in this world that are weak and useless
-or-
those weak and useless rules (New Century Version)
-or-
those customs/teaching of ?our ancestors? that have no power ?to save people? and have no value
4:9d
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?: This is a second rhetorical question, after the one in 4:9c. It continues Paul’s rebuke of the Galatians.
In Greek, 4:9c and 4:9d are part of the same sentence. Some ways to translate the rhetorical question here in 4:9d are:
• As a separate rhetorical question. For example:
Why do you want to become their slaves all over again? (Good News Translation)
• As a statement. For example:
When you do that, you are enslaving yourselves to them all over again.
-or-
You are becoming their slaves again!
Use whichever form is most natural in your language to express a rebuke.
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