Galatians 4:1-31
In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. (v.3) And: But now that you have come to know God … how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world…? (v. 9) Although it’s confusing, it could be that Paul’s twice-mention of the “elementary principles of the world” are the many rules of the Law which Jews were required to obey. That is, I wonder if Paul is speaking to those Jews who had converted to Jesus, but were now going back to their old ways because of those Judaizers who had come in, fearful of this new faith to which their fellow Jews had turned. Paul goes on about these Judaizers: They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. (v. 17) These Judaizers see that they have lost their influence with these new converts and want to turn them back the rules of the Law, once again enslaving them.
With all that it’s clear to me that I am not a Bible scholar. But then again, even the Bible scholars don’t know exactly what Paul was trying to say in this chapter – these “elementary principles” and his “bodily ailment (v. 13) and “at first” (also vs. 13). As I’ve said before the past few day, we move on!
See also: March 8 / Gal. 4:1-11; March 9 / Gal. 4:12-20; March 10 / Gal. 4:21-31
Just for the fun of it, I thought I would give my two cents on what Paul might be getting at. I think Paul is talking about “babysitting” rules (by this I do not think Paul means the commandments, I think he means the hundreds of Jewish rules about how to eat, how far they can walk on the Sabbath, how to slaughter their animals, circumcision, etc., etc.).
The Israelites were children of God and heirs to His Kingdom. But because they were not ready to be full fledged members of the Kingdom (because no one was fully righteous), God appointed “babysitters” to establish the hundreds of rules to live life by until the time set by the Father when the children would be ready to take their place in the Kingdom. In effect, the Israelites were children of God but as if by a slave woman – not yet fully free to take their inheritance.
The time set by the Father was the time of Jesus’ resurrection when it became possible for sins to be forgiven and possible for all people (Jews and gentiles) to have a direct and personal relationship with the Father. Thus, all believers were reborn as children of God but as if by a free woman – ready to take their full place in the Kingdom without the need of “babysitting” rules.
So, Paul asks why, once you are free and a full fledged heir at God’s table, would you want to take on the prior rules that were imposed by the “babysitters” at a time before you were fully vested in the Kingdom? I am sure Paul is not talking about commandments or saying that a believer no longer has to strive to be righteous. Believers are also called to follow Jesus. I think Paul was talking about babysitting rules.
So, that is my two cents, and I might be overcharging.
Nice thoughts, Lou, well worth your $.02. Looking forward, Paul essentially says the same thing to both Jew and Gentile converts: I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready… (I Corinthians 3:2)