King James Version

Galatians 4:8

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

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Greek

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The KJV’s Greek text (Textus Receptus) word order differs here.

ἈλλὰallaHowbeitἀλλάconjunction — “Howbeit”G235but, except, however.Howbeitτότεtotethenτότεadverb — “then”G5119then, at that time.thenμὲνmenon one handμένconjunction — “on one hand”G3303an untranslatable particle, generally answered by "de", each of the two introducing a clause intended to be contrasted with the other.οὐκouknotοὐ (ou)adverb — “not”G3756no, not.notεἰδότεςeidotesto perceiveοἶδα (oida)verb, perfect active participle, nominative, plural, masculine — “to perceive”, a completed action with a present resultG6063to perceiveθεὸνtheonGodθεός (theos)noun, accusative, singular, masculine — “God”, the object formG2316(a) God, (b) a god, generally.This verse uses “God”.Godἐδουλεύσατεedouleusateye did serviceδουλεύω (douleuō)verb, aorist active indicative, 2nd person plural — “ye did service”, a single actionG1398I am a slave, am subject to, obey, am devoted.ye did serviceτοῖςtoistheὁ (ho)article, dative, plural, masculine — “the”, the to- or for-formG3588the, the definite article.φύσειphuseiunto them which by natureφύσις (phusis)noun, dative, singular, feminine — “unto them which by nature”, the to- or for-formG5449nature, inherent nature, origin, birth.This verse uses “nature”.unto them which by natureμὴmēnoμήadverb — “no”G3361not, lest.noοὖσιousito beεἰμί (eimi)verb, present active participle, dative, plural, masculine — “to be”, an ongoing or repeated actionG1510I am, exist.θεοῖςtheoisgodsθεός (theos)noun, dative, plural, masculine — “gods”, the to- or for-formG2316(a) God, (b) a god, generally.gods

Literal (Young’s Literal Translation)

But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:

Young’s Literal Translation

But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,

World English Bible

However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.

Darby Translation

But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods;

Douay-Rheims

But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.

American Standard Version (1901)

Young’s Literal Translation

World English Bible

Darby Translation

Douay-Rheims

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