Galatians 4:9
King James Version
8 Jun 2026
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”
πτωχός
Not just financially poor — ptochos is the one who crouches, who has nothing to stand on. Blessed are those who know they have nothing in themselves before God. That emptiness is not a problem. It is the very space into which the kingdom enters.
θεός
God,
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θεός
God. Theos. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The ultimate reality. The source of all existence. Personal knowable and present.
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πάλιν
again
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πάλιν
Again, once more, anew. Palin. Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice. Some commands are worth repeating. Joy is always appropriate for those who know God.
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δουλεύω
to be enslaved
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δουλεύω
To serve as a slave, to be enslaved. Douleuo. No one can serve two masters. Divided loyalty destroys effectiveness. Choose who you will serve and serve wholeheartedly.
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γινώσκω
having been known
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γινώσκω
To know, to understand, to perceive. Ginosko. This is eternal life that they may know You. The deepest knowing is relational not informational. God wants to be known.
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ὅς
to which
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ὅς
Who, which, that, the one who. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. God finishes what He starts.
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θέλω
you desire?
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θέλω
To will, to wish, to desire. Thelo. I am willing be made clean. Jesus was always willing to heal, forgive and restore. His willingness has not changed.
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στοιχεῖον
principles
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στοιχεῖον
something orderly in arrangement, i.e. (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)
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ἐπιστρέφω
do you turn
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ἐπιστρέφω
To turn toward, to return, to repent. Turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Every turn toward God is met with His open arms.
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πῶς
how
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πῶς
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
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νῦν
now
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νῦν
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
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μᾶλλον
rather
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μᾶλλον
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
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