Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
However, in the past, when you did not know God, you were slaves to things that are not really gods at all.
New American Standard Bible
However at that time,
King James Version
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Holman Bible
But in the past, when you didn’t know God,
A Conservative Version
But of course not knowing God then, ye were in bondage to those in nature who 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:
Amplified
But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all.
An Understandable Version
At that time, when you did not know God [as your Father], you were in bondage to those who were, by nature, not really gods at all.
Anderson New Testament
But, then, because you knew not God, you were enslaved to those who, by nature, are not 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:
Common New Testament
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
Daniel Mace New Testament
When you did not know God, you did service to those, who in reality are no Gods; but now that you know God,
Darby Translation
But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods;
Goodspeed New Testament
But formerly, in your ignorance of God, you were slaves to gods that really did not exist,
John Wesley New Testament
Indeed then, when ye knew not God, ye served them that by nature are not gods.
Julia Smith Translation
But then truly, not having known God, ye were in a servile condition to them not being gods by nature.
King James 2000
But then, when you knew not God, you did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Lexham Expanded Bible
But at that time [when you] did not know God, you were enslaved to the things which by nature are not gods.
Modern King James verseion
But then, indeed, not knowing God, you served as slaves to those not by nature being gods.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Notwithstanding, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature were no gods:
Moffatt New Testament
In those days, when you were ignorant of God, you were in servitude to gods who are really no gods at all;
Montgomery New Testament
But once, when you Gentiles had no knowledge of God, you were slaves to gods which have no real being.
NET Bible
Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all.
New Heart English Bible
However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
Noyes New Testament
But at that time, indeed, when ye knew not God, ye were in slavery to those who in their nature are not gods;
Sawyer New Testament
But formerly, not knowing God you served beings which are not really Gods;
The Emphasized Bible
But, at that time - not knowing God, ye were in servitude unto them who, by nature, are not Gods;
Thomas Haweis New Testament
But at that time when ye knew not God, ye served those who by nature are not gods.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Yet formerly, in your ignorance of God, you became slaves to 'gods' which were no gods.
Webster
However then, when ye knew not God, ye did service to them which by nature are no gods.
Weymouth New Testament
But at one time, you Gentiles, having no knowledge of God, were slaves to gods which in reality do not exist.
Williams New Testament
But at that former time, as you did not know the true God, you were slaves to gods that do not really exist,
World English Bible
However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
Worrell New Testament
But then, indeed, when ye knew not God, ye served those which by nature are no gods;
Worsley New Testament
But then indeed, when ye knew not God, ye served those which in reality are no gods.
Youngs Literal Translation
But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,
Themes
Idolatry » Objects of, described as » No gods
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Gentiles
Images » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
Law » Christ being the end of the law
false Worship » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
Interlinear
Alla
References
Hastings
Word Count of 36 Translations in Galatians 4:8
Verse Info
Context Readings
Do Not Be Enslaved Again
7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if you are a child, then you are also an heir because of what God did. 8 However, in the past, when you did not know God, you were slaves to things that are not really gods at all. 9 But now that you know God, or rather have been known by God, how can you turn back again to those powerless and bankrupt basic principles? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?
Names
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:21
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe through the nonsense of our preaching.
1 Thessalonians 4:5
not with passion and lust like the gentiles who do not know God.
1 Corinthians 8:4
Now concerning eating food offered to idols: We know that no idol is real in this world and that there is only one God.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
in blazing fire. He will take revenge on those who do not know God and on those who refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2 Chronicles 13:9
Haven't you already driven away the LORD's priests, the descendants of Aaron and the descendants of Levi? Haven't you established your own priests like the people of other lands?
Isaiah 37:19
and have thrown their gods into the fire but they are not gods, but rather the products of human hands, mere wood and stone. So the Assyrians destroyed them.
Ephesians 2:11-12
So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth were called "the uncircumcised" by those who called themselves "the circumcised." They underwent physical circumcision done by human hands.
1 Thessalonians 1:9
For people keep telling us what kind of welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve a living and true God
Exodus 5:2
Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I don't know about the LORD, nor will I let Israel go!"
Joshua 24:2
and Joshua told all of the people, "This is what the LORD God of Israel has to say:
Joshua 24:15
If you think it's the wrong thing for you to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve the gods whom your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose territories you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, crafted by human hands.
Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, worked by the hands of human beings.
Isaiah 44:9-20
Now, all the forming of images means nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their own witnesses cannot see, and they know nothing. So they will be put to shame.
Jeremiah 2:11
Has a nation ever changed gods when they aren't even gods? But my people have exchanged their glory for that which does not profit.
Jeremiah 10:3-16
For the practices of the people are worthless. Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest; it's the work of the hands of a craftsman with an ax.
Jeremiah 10:25
Pour out your anger on the nations that don't acknowledge you, and on the families that don't call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured and consumed him; they have devastated his habitation.
John 1:10
He was in the world, and the world was made through him. Yet the world did not recognize him.
Acts 14:12
They began to call Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he was the main speaker.
Acts 17:23
For as I was walking around and looking closely at the objects you worship, I even found an altar with this written on it: "To an unknown god.' So I am telling you about the unknown object you worship.
Acts 17:29-30
So if we are God's children, we shouldn't think that the divine being is like gold, silver, or stone, or is an image carved by humans using their own imagination and skill.
Romans 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
Romans 1:28
Furthermore, because they did not think it worthwhile to keep knowing God fully, God delivered them to degraded minds to perform acts that should not be done.
1 Corinthians 10:19-20
Am I suggesting that an offering made to idols means anything, or that an idol itself means anything?
1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were unbelievers, you were enticed and led astray to worship idols that couldn't even speak.
Ephesians 4:18
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.
1 Peter 4:3
For you spent enough time in the past doing what the gentiles like to do, living in sensuality, sinful desires, drunkenness, wild celebrations, drinking parties, and detestable idolatry.
1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given us: We are called God's children and that is what we are! For this reason the world does not recognize us, because it did not recognize him, either.