King James Bible
"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 corrects himself mid-sentence to emphasize that salvation originates with God's initiative, not human achievement. This theological precision underscores that the Galatians' relationship with God is rooted in divine grace, making their potential abandonment of this relationship even more tragic. Paul expresses astonishment that the Galatians would return to religious systems he characterizes as impoverished and powerless. The 'elements' likely refer to basic religious principles of law-keeping that cannot save, contrasting sharply with the richness of knowing God through Christ. The rhetorical question highlights the absurdity of choosing slavery after experiencing freedom. Paul implies that returning to law-based religion after knowing gospel freedom is like a freed slave voluntarily returning to chains.