Today’s Text is lengthy, the Verse we’re going to study.
For that reason, I have opted to discuss its first line today, then more tomorrow morning.
Galatians 4:9 … “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?”
Paul is so burdened about these fairly new Christians in Galatia. Most of whom have trusted Christ under Paul’s ministry. Or at least … he was the founding Pastor of those congregations. (Galatia is a whole area or district, not just a single city … thus several Churches are involved, included.)
The Apostle fears these folks are about to “leave” a strict adhering to the Grace of God and go back to something less!
Now, watch this truth unfold: “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God …” Today’s clause.
Here are two ways of expressing one’s relationship with God! (I know Him … and … He knows me!)
And this delightful state is one which the Galatians were enjoying at that very moment, as Paul penned those words around two thousand years ago. That’s the significance of the adverb “now.”
“But NOW, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God …”
As I’ve said before … there’s here no doubt in Paul’s mind here that the Galatians are really saved, genuine born-again children of God!
They NOW know God!
Through Jesus Christ His Son!
Listen to the Lord Jesus define eternal life in John 17:3, as He prayed. “And this is life eternal, that they might know (“ginosko” in Greek) thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
And our Text?
“But now, after that ye have known (“ginosko” in Greek) God, or rather are known (“ginosko” again) of God …”
Wow, same verb in both places!
Yes, the Galatians have been redeemed, indeed!
They “have known” God, their relationship with Him began somewhere in time past. (The verb is Aorist here, past tense.) The day they were “apprehended” of Christ, Paul would have later expressed it. The day they exercised faith in Jesus as God’s only begotten Son.
Do YOU know Him like that, dear friend studying with us here today?
Paul loves that word picture! Knowing God! Listen to him elsewhere: “For I KNOW whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
But then, immediately, in today’s Text … Paul rephrases his wording!
It’s not just our knowing God!
It is God knowing us too!
This is the “balance” of salvation!
I know Him (I love Him) because He first knew me (first loved me)! See 1st John 4:9 … “We love him, because he first loved us.”
Or … remember Jesus’ first words to (and concerning) Nathaniel: “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, WHENCE KNOWEST THOU ME? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I SAW THEE. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, THOU ART THE SON OF GOD; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:45-49
I know Jesus!
I know God!
But also … and Paul wants to express it this precise way, here emphasizing less the (wavering) Galatians and emphasizing more God (the never-wavering Faithful One) the Saviour: “But now, after that ye have known God, or RATHER ARE KNOWN OF GOD …”
He knows me!
Rejoice in 2 Timothy 2:19 … “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS.”
Wow!
Even Nahum writes: “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; AND HE KNOWETH THEM THAT TRUST IN HIM.”
Jesus again, in John 10:14 as well: “I am the good shepherd, and KNOW MY SHEEP, and AM KNOWN OF MINE.” (The very same “balance” here!)
I know Him, as Saviour!
And He knows me, as one of His children!
What blessedness!
Let’s delight in this fact today, this truth.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Song of Solomon 2:16 nearly says the same thing, just worded differently. “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” Hallelujah!
What lovely Balance!