[4:8-20] Before the Gentiles knew God, they were slaves to gods that verse 8 says, “…gods that do not exist.” Once a man believes on Jesus Christ, God knows the man [enabling the man knows God] and God sets the man free. Paul questions the Gentiles in Galatians 4:9b, “… why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?” He points out that they are trying to earn salvation through observance of religious holidays and festivities. In other words, they are putting emphasis on religious rituals rather than on Jesus Christ. Paul pleads with the Galatians to live in freedom from these things. He is reminding them that faith alone brings salvation.
Paul affirms the believers of their past affection towards Paul. He personally reminds them of the genuine love and generosity that they showed him whenever he was with them. He asks an important question in Galatians 4:16, “Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?” The truth [found in God’s word] must always take precedence over the worlds ideas, emphasis, and opinion. This is a good reminder that a true friend tells the truth in love. It is a wise individual who gives and receives the truth. True friends speak the truth for the good of the other individual. False teachers [non-friends] speak whatever is good for their benefit. They think only of themselves.
Paul feels the intensity associated with nurturing these believers to develop in their faith. He sees the Galatians in their spiritual infancy and longs for Christ to be fully developed in them [Galatians 4:19].
