Parallel Verses
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.
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,
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.
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.
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 [now], you are no longer a slave but a child, and since you are a child, you also will receive an inheritance through [the blessings of] God. 8 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. 9 But now that you have come to know God [as your Father], or rather, to be known by Him [as His children], how can you turn back again to the weak, cheap, elementary teachings [of the law of Moses], to which you [seem to] desire to become enslaved?
Names
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:21
For since, according to God's [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the "foolishness" of the message preached.
1 Thessalonians 4:5
not in passionate lust, as the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not know God, do.
1 Corinthians 8:4
Now concerning [the matter of] eating foods [once] offered as sacrifices to idols, we know that an idol is [really] nothing in the world [at all], and that there is only one God.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
He will inflict punishment on those people who do not know God [as Savior], and on those who do not obey the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 2:11-12
So, you Gentiles by birth should remember what you once were. You are called "Uncircumcision" by those who are called "Circumcision" [i.e., the Jews], (which refers to a physical procedure performed by people).
1 Thessalonians 1:9
For those people themselves report on what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you people turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God.
John 1:10
[Actually] He was in the world [already], for the world came into being through Him, but the world did not acknowledge Him.
Acts 14:12
So, they called Barnabas, "Zeus," and Paul "Hermes," because Paul was the principal speaker.
Acts 17:23
For as I traveled along [your streets] and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: [DEDICATED] TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about.
Acts 17:29-30
Since therefore we are God's children, we should not think that the Deity is like gold, silver or stone, to be carved [into an idol] by the design and skill of men.
Romans 1:23
and exchanged the honor belonging to the immortal God for the statues of mortal men, and birds, and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:28
And since these people refused to acknowledge God, He has allowed [or, abandoned] them to have degraded minds and to practice those things which they should not do.
1 Corinthians 10:19-20
So, what am I saying? That an animal sacrificed to idols is [really] anything, or that an idol [itself] is anything?
1 Corinthians 12:2
You people know that when you were [still unconverted] Gentiles, you were led astray to [worship] lifeless idols, however you were led [i.e., wherever you turned, you were being led into idolatrous practices].
Ephesians 4:18
Their understanding [of spiritual things] is darkened and excluded from the [spiritual] life that God gives, because of the ignorance in their minds and the stubbornness in their hearts.
1 Peter 4:3
For the time you have [already] spent in the past [i.e., as Gentile unbelievers] was long enough to have practiced unrestrained, indecent conduct, improper sexual cravings, riotous living, wild parties, drunken orgies and disgusting idol worship.
1 John 3:1
Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is.