Turning back to the principles (4:8–11)

Says “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods” (τοῖς φύσει μὴ οὖσι θεοῖς (tois physei mē ousi theois, “those who by nature are not gods”)). “now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles?” The Greek is τὰ ἀσθενῆ καὶ πτωχὰ στοιχεῖα (ta asthenē kai ptōcha stoicheia, “the weak and poor stoicheia”). “You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!” (ἡμέρας παρατηρεῖσθε καὶ μῆνας καὶ καιροὺς καὶ ἐνιαυτούς (hēmeras paratēreisthe kai mēnas kai kairous kai eniautous, “you observe days and months and seasons and years”)). “I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain”. The wording is treated in Known by God, and weak and worthless principles (4:8–11); the calendar background, and the readings offered for 4:10, are treated in Not gods, and the calendar (4:8–10).

Implies The correction “or rather are known by God” puts the initiative with God, which makes a return to slavery the stranger.

Uncertain What the observances of 4:10 were, and how they relate to the stoicheia of 4:3 and 4:9, is not settled here. No verdict is given.