Justification Through Judaism Is Paganism.

Galatians 4:8–11 (NIV),

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹ I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

This is a vicious thrust of the Apostle when you recall that the recipients of this letter are Gentiles. He is saying that to return to the practice of Judaism for righteousness is no different than pagans returning to their false gods.  Stated clearly, it is Paul's view that for a Christian to return to Old Testament worship, to gain acceptance with God, is no different than him or her returning to pagan idolatry.  Bottom line: "Whosoever is fallen from the article of justification, is ignorant of God, and an idolater . . . Therefore, as many as trust to their own strength and righteousness, do serve a god, but such a god as they themselves have devised, and not the true God indeed." [1]

But this is not the case, these people "know God" (or are "known by God").  This is a poignant slip of the pen for Paul.  He is making a point.  "Wherefore, even by these words, “ye are known of God,” he taketh away all righteousness from the law, and denieth that we attain the knowledge of God through the worthiness of our works." [1]  God by His gracious pleasure has known you. Why go back to such "weak and miserable forces."   Such a demeaning statement of the Law of Moses is nowhere stated in the Apostolic literature.  "Paul seemeth to speak very spitefully of the law, when he calleth it the rudiments (as he did also before in the beginning of this chapter), and not only rudiments, but weak and beggarly rudiments." [1]

"Paul’s question shows the absurdity of their desire to be slaves again. They were in the process of leaving the light and liberty of Christianity for the shadow and slavery of legalism. Ritualistic observances are heathenish in principle. They are a system of bondage opposed to God’s grace. How can anyone want to exchange the robe of Christ’s righteousness for the filthy rags of heathenism, Judaism, or any other “ism”?" [2]

"Therefore he saith that they, losing the grace and liberty which they had in Christ, were turned back to the serving of weak and beggarly elements. For they were persuaded by the false apostles, that these laws must needs be kept, and by keeping of them they should obtain righteousness; but if they kept them not, they should be damned." [3]

So Paul sighs, "I am afraid that all my hard work among you has gone up in a puff of smoke!" [4]

Father it almost is incredulous to think that men and women who are steeped in pagan idolatry and false worship would come into the light of the Gospel and then think it to be good to fall back into that form of bondage -- except that it is clothed with religion now -- the Jewish religion -- moral, law-keeping religion.  Justification through Judaism is nothing short of paganism.  And no wonder Luther would explain how easy it is to drift away from the Gospel. Indeed ceremonialism and legalism sure look good.  Unfortunately they will take us to Hell. Prone to wander Lord I feel it.  Prone to leave the God I love.  Father, bind my heart to the true and saving Gospel.  Help me to see through the cloak of religion to the Devil who inhabits all pagan worship.   The Gospel, Your Gospel is the only message that saves.  Thank you for it. Keep me in it, I pray.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:8). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2391). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:10). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

4. Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: The Bible in contemporary language (Ga 4:11). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.