Galatians 4:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Galatians 4:8

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

When

Ye did

Bible References

When

he was in the world, even the world that had been made by him, but the world knew him not.

for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you.

As they did not seek the favour of God, by worshipping him, God gave them over to a depraved sense, to act unworthy of human nature;

for whereas the world, with all their learning, did not distinguish the characters of his divine wisdom, in his works, it pleased God to save those who believe, by preaching, which they counted folly.

Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation;

which are overspread with darkness, and averse to a religious life, thro' their innate ignorance and obduracy:

person unsullied by the vices of the Gentiles, who know not God:

in flaming fire, to take vengeance on those, who know not God, and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Consider what proof the father has given us of his love, in allowing us to be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it knew him not.

Ye did

Barnabas, they stiled Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.

since then we are the offspring of God, we should not imagine that the Deity bears any resemblance to the form which Gold, or Silver, or Stone has receiv'd from human art and industry.

the honour due to God, who is immortal, they transferr'd to idols representing men, who are mortal, to birds, and beasts, and insects.

As to the eating therefore of what is offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that the heathen deities have no real existence, and that there is but one God.

that the idol, or that what is offered in sacrifice to the idol, is a matter of consequence?

when you were Gentiles, you know how you were seduced by your leaders, to the worship of dumb idols.

how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God,

for the time past of your lives may suffice, to have liv'd in conformity to the Gentile customs, in impurity, licentiousness, sottishness, in dissolute festivals, and the criminal rites of idolaters.