Galatians 4:8 “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by n…”

Galatians 4:8

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

But euen then, when ye knewe not God, yee did seruice vnto them, which by nature are not gods:

Darby Translation

But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods;

Young's Literal Translation

But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,

Bible in Basic English

But at that time, having no knowledge of God, you were servants to those who by right are no gods:

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Cross references

“when”

1 Thessalonians 4:5 1 Corinthians 1:21 2 Thessalonians 1:8 Exodus 5:2 Jeremiah 10:25 Ephesians 4:18

1 Thessalonians 4:5 · BSB

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 Corinthians 1:21 · BSB

For 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.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 · BSB

in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Exodus 5:2 · BSB

But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

Jeremiah 10:25 · BSB

Pour 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 homel…

Ephesians 4:18 · BSB

They 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.

“ye did”

1 Corinthians 8:4 1 Thessalonians 1:9 1 Peter 4:3 Joshua 24:2 Joshua 24:15 Isaiah 44:9–20

1 Corinthians 8:4 · BSB

So 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 1:9 · BSB

For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

1 Peter 4:3 · BSB

For 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 24:2 · BSB

And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods.

Joshua 24:15 · BSB

But 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 a…

Isaiah 44:9–20 · BSB

All 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.

Also

Isaiah 37:19 2 Chronicles 13:9 Jeremiah 2:11

Isaiah 37:19 · BSB

They 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.

2 Chronicles 13:9 · BSB

But 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 bu…

Jeremiah 2:11 · BSB

Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Read Galatians 4