Galatians 4:8 Parallel Translations
NASB: However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. (NASB ©1995)
GWT: When you didn't know God, you were slaves to things which are really not gods at all.(GOD'S WORD®)
KJV: Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
ASV: Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:
BBE: But at that time, having no knowledge of God, you were servants to those who by right are no gods:
DBY: But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods;
ERV: Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them which by nature are no gods:
WEY: But at one time, you Gentiles, having no knowledge of God, were slaves to gods which in reality do not exist.
WBS: However then, when ye knew not God, ye did service to them which by nature are no gods.
WEB: However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
YLT: But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,
Galatians 4:8 Cross References
XREF:2 Chronicles 13:9 "Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods.

Isaiah 37:19 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them.

Jeremiah 2:11 "Has a nation changed gods When they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 8:4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.

1 Corinthians 10:20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

Galatians 4:3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

1 Thessalonians 4:5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

2 Thessalonians 1:8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (NASB ©1995)
Commentaries and Concordances
GSB: 4:8 {4} Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
(4) He applies the former doctrine to the Galatians, with a special rebuke: for in comparison with them, the Jews might have pretended some excuse as men that were born and brought up in that service of the Law. But seeing that the Galatians were taken and called out of idolatry to Christian liberty, what pretence might they have to go back to those impotent and beggarly elements?
PNT: 4:8 Howbeit then. These Galatian brethren had been idolaters, and had worshiped idols which were not gods at all. At that time they
knew not God, the true God, at all.
WES: 4:8 Indeed then when ye knew not God, ye served them that by nature - That is, in reality. Are no gods - And so were under a far worse bondage than even that of the Jews. For they did serve the true God, though in a low, slavish manner.
MHC: 4:8-11 The happy change whereby the Galatians were turned from idols to the living God, and through Christ had received the adoption of sons, was the effect of his free and rich grace; they were laid under the greater obligation to keep to the liberty wherewith he had made them free. All our knowledge of God begins on his part; we know him because we are known of him. Though our religion forbids idolatry, yet many practise spiritual idolatry in their hearts. For what a man loves most, and cares most for, that is his god: some have their riches for their god, some their pleasures, and some their lusts. And many ignorantly worship a god of their own making; a god made all of mercy and no justice. For they persuade themselves that there is mercy for them with God, though they repent not, but go on in their sins. It is possible for those who have made great professions of religion, to be afterwards drawn aside from purity and simplicity. And the more mercy God has shown, in bringing any to know the gospel, and the liberties and privileges of it, the greater their sin and folly in suffering themselves to be deprived of them. Hence all who are members of the outward church should learn to fear and to suspect themselves. We must not be content because we have some good things in ourselves. Paul fears lest his labour is in vain, yet he still labours; and thus to do, whatever follows, is true wisdom and the fear of God. This every man must remember in his place and calling.
CONC:Beings Bondage Exist Formerly Gentiles Gods Howbeit However Indeed Nature Reality Servants Service Servitude Slaves
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