Parallel Verses

Julia Smith Translation

But then truly, not having known God, ye were in a servile condition to them not being gods by nature.

New American Standard Bible

However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.

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, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods.

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.

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.

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,

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
ἀλλά 
Alla 
but, yea, yet, nevertheless, howbeit, nay, therefore, save, not tr,
Usage: 461

τότε 
Tote 
then, that time, when, not tr
Usage: 105

when ye knew not
οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

God
θεός 
theos 
Usage: 1151

δουλεύω 
Douleuo 
serve, be in bondage, do service
Usage: 20


which, who, the things, the son,
Usage: 0

by nature
φύσις 
Phusis 
Usage: 14

are
ὤν οὖσα ὄν 
On 
being, when ... was, which is, that is, not tr,
Usage: 128

no
μή 
me 
not, no, that not, God forbid 9, lest, neither, no man , but, none, not translated,
Usage: 493

Context Readings

Do Not Be Enslaved Again

7 So that thou art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ. 8 But then truly, not having known God, ye were in a servile condition to them not being gods by nature. 9 And now, having known God, and rather known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and poor elements, to which again ye wish anew to be in a servile condition

Cross References

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, God was contented by the foolishness of proclaiming to save them believing.

1 Thessalonians 4:5

Not in the passion of eager desire, as also the nations not knowing God:

1 Corinthians 8:4

Concerning food therefore of sacrifices to idols, we know that an idol nothing in the world, and that none other God but one.

2 Thessalonians 1:8

In fire of flame giving vengeance to them not knowing God, and to them not listening to the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Chronicles 13:9

Did ye not thrust out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron and the Levites? and ye will make to you priests according to the peoples of the lands, every one coming to fill his hand with a bullock, son of the cow, and seven rams; and he was priest to no God.

Isaiah 37:19

And he gave their gods into fire; for they were not God but the work of man's hands, wood and stone: and they will destroy them.

Ephesians 2:11-12

Wherefore remember, that ye then the nations in the flesh, being reckoned Uncircumcision by the Circumcision in the flesh reckoned made by hands;

1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves proclaim of us what entrance we have to you, and how ye turned to God from images to serve the living and true God;

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh will say, Who is Jehovah, whose voice I shall hear to send forth Israel? I knew not Jehovah, and also I shall not send Israel forth.

Joshua 24:2

And Joshua will say to all the people, So said Jehovah the God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt beyond the river from everlasting time, Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor and they will serve other gods.

Joshua 24:15

And if evil in your eyes to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served which are beyond the river, and whether the gods of the Amorite which ye dwelt in their land: and I and my house, we will serve Jehovah.

Psalm 115:4-8

Their images are silver and gold, the work of man's hands.

Psalm 135:15-18

The images of the nation are silver and gold, the work of man's hands.

Isaiah 44:9-20

They forming a carved image all of them emptiness; and their delights shall not profit, and they are their witnesses; they will not see and they will not know, so that they shall be ashamed.

Jeremiah 2:11

Did a nation change their gods, and they no gods? and my people changed their glory for what will not profit

Jeremiah 10:3-16

For the laws of the peoples, this vanity: for they cut down a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Jeremiah 10:25

Pour out thy wrath upon the nations which knew thee not, and upon the families that called not upon thy name: for they ate up Jacob and consumed him, and they will finish him, and they made desolate his dwelling.

John 1:10

He was in the world, and the world was by him, and the world knew him not.

Acts 14:12

And truly they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, since he was leader of the word.

Acts 17:23

For having passed by, and beholding your venerations, I found also an altar upon which was inscribed, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom not knowing therefore ye reverence, him I announce to you.

Acts 17:29-30

Being therefore the posterity of God, we ought not to think gold, or silver, or stone, an engraving of art, or meditation of man, the divinity to be like.

Romans 1:23

And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of flying things, and of creeping things, and of quadrupeds.

Romans 1:28

And as they chose not to have God in knowledge, God delivered them to an adulterated purpose, to do things not fitting;

1 Corinthians 10:19-20

What do I say therefore? that an idol is any thing? or that what is sacrificed to an idol is any thing?

1 Corinthians 12:2

Ye know that ye were the nations, to dumb idols, as ye were led, being carried away.

Ephesians 4:18

Being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God by ignorance being in them, by the hardness of their heart;

1 Peter 4:3

For the time of life passed over sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the nations, having gone in licentiousness, eager desires, drunkenness, revellings, drinkings, and criminal idolatries:

1 John 3:1

See ye, what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God: for this the world knows us not, for it knew him not.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain