KJV: 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?
YLT: and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude?
Darby: but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage?
ASV: but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?
| νῦν | now |
|
Parse: Adverb Root: νῦν Sense: at this time, the present, now. |
|
| δὲ | however |
|
Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc. |
|
| γνόντες | having known |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: γινώσκω Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel. |
|
| Θεόν | God |
|
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
|
| μᾶλλον | rather |
|
Parse: Adverb Root: μᾶλλον Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather. |
|
| γνωσθέντες | having been known |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: γινώσκω Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel. |
|
| Θεοῦ | God |
|
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
|
| πῶς | how |
|
Parse: Adverb Root: πῶς Sense: how, in what way. |
|
| ἐπιστρέφετε | do you turn |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: ἐπιστρέφω Sense: transitively. |
|
| πάλιν | again |
|
Parse: Adverb Root: πάλιν Sense: anew, again. |
|
| ἀσθενῆ | weak |
|
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ἀσθενής Sense: weak, infirm, feeble. |
|
| πτωχὰ | destitute |
|
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: πτωχός Sense: reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms. |
|
| στοιχεῖα | principles |
|
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: στοιχεῖον Sense: any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise, an element, first principal. |
|
| οἷς | to which |
|
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Neuter Plural Root: ὅς Sense: who, which, what, that. |
|
| ἄνωθεν | anew |
|
Parse: Adverb Root: ἄνωθεν Sense: from above, from a higher place. |
|
| δουλεύειν | to be enslaved |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active Root: δουλεύω Sense: to be a slave, serve, do service. |
|
| θέλετε | you desire |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: θέλω Sense: to will, have in mind, intend. |
|
Greek Commentary for Galatians 4:9
Fine example of the ingressive second aorist active participle of γινωσκω ginōskō come to know by experience through faith in Christ. [source]
First aorist passive participle of the same verb. He quickly turns it round to the standpoint of God‘s elective grace reaching them (Galatians 4:6). How (πως pōs). “A question full of wonder” (Bengel). See note on Galatians 1:6. Turn ye back again? Present active indicative, “Are ye turning again?” See μετατιτεστε metatithesthe in Galatians 1:6. The weak and beggarly rudiments (τα αστενη και πτωχα στοιχεια ta asthenē kai ptōcha stoicheia). The same στοιχεια stoicheia in Galatians 4:3 from which they had been delivered, “weak and beggarly,” still in their utter impotence from the Pharisaic legalism and the philosophical and religious legalism and the philosophical and religious quests of the heathen as shown by Angus‘s The Religious Quests of the Graeco-Roman World. These were eagerly pursued by many, but they were shadows when caught. It is pitiful today to see some men and women leave Christ for will o‘the wisps of false philosophy. Over again Old word, from above (ανω anō) as in Matthew 27:51, from the first (Luke 1:3), then “over again” as here, back to where they were before (in slavery to rites and rules). [source]
“A question full of wonder” (Bengel). See note on Galatians 1:6. [source]
Present active indicative, “Are ye turning again?” See μετατιτεστε metatithesthe in Galatians 1:6. The weak and beggarly rudiments (τα αστενη και πτωχα στοιχεια ta asthenē kai ptōcha stoicheia). The same στοιχεια stoicheia in Galatians 4:3 from which they had been delivered, “weak and beggarly,” still in their utter impotence from the Pharisaic legalism and the philosophical and religious legalism and the philosophical and religious quests of the heathen as shown by Angus‘s The Religious Quests of the Graeco-Roman World. These were eagerly pursued by many, but they were shadows when caught. It is pitiful today to see some men and women leave Christ for will o‘the wisps of false philosophy. Over again Old word, from above (ανω anō) as in Matthew 27:51, from the first (Luke 1:3), then “over again” as here, back to where they were before (in slavery to rites and rules). [source]
The same στοιχεια stoicheia in Galatians 4:3 from which they had been delivered, “weak and beggarly,” still in their utter impotence from the Pharisaic legalism and the philosophical and religious legalism and the philosophical and religious quests of the heathen as shown by Angus‘s The Religious Quests of the Graeco-Roman World. These were eagerly pursued by many, but they were shadows when caught. It is pitiful today to see some men and women leave Christ for will o‘the wisps of false philosophy. [source]
Old word, from above (ανω anō) as in Matthew 27:51, from the first (Luke 1:3), then “over again” as here, back to where they were before (in slavery to rites and rules). [source]
Rather corrects the first statement, have known God, which might seem to attach too much to human agency in attaining the knowledge of God. The divine side of the process is thrown into the foreground by are known, etc. Known does not mean approved or acknowledged, but simply recognized. Saving knowledge is doubtless implied, but is not expressed in the word. The relation of knowledge between God and his sons proceeds from God. The Galatians had not arrived at the knowledge of God by intuition nor by any process of reasoning. “God knew them ere they knew him, and his knowing them was the cause of their knowing him” (Eadie). Comp. 1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Timothy 2:19; Matthew 7:23. Dean Stanley remarks that “our knowledge of God is more his act than ours.” If God knows a man, that fact implies an activity of God which passes over to the man, so that he, as the subject of God's knowledge, comes into the knowledge of God. In N.T. γινώσκειν often implies a personal relation between the knower and the known, so that knowledge implies influence. See 1 Corinthians 2:8; John 1:10; John 2:24; John 17:3. For a parallel to this interchange between the active and the passive, see Philemon 3:12. [source]
“A question full of wonder” (Bengel). Comp. I marvel, Galatians 1:6. [source]
Better, the continuous present, are ye turning, as of a change still in progress. Comp. Galatians 1:6. Πάλιν againaccording to N.T. usage, and corresponding with πάλιν ἄνωθεν in the following clause. Not back, which is the earlier sense and the usual classical meaning. [source]
For elements see on Galatians 4:3. For πτωχὰ beggarlysee on Matthew 5:3. The two adjectives express the utter impotence of these “elements” to do and to bestow what was done and given by God in sending his Son into the world. Comp. Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:18. [source]
Ἄνωθεν ( ἄνω above) adds to πάλιν the idea of going back to the beginning. Its primary meaning is from above; thence, from the first, reckoning in a descending series. So Luke 1:3; Acts 26:5. Such combinations as this are not uncommon in N.T. and Class. See, for instance, Acts 18:21; Matthew 26:42; Acts 10:15; John 21:16. But these additions to πάλιν are not pleonastic. They often define and explain it. Thus, John 21:16, πάλιν marks the repetition of Jesus' question, δεύτερον the number of the repetition. He asked again, and this was the second time of asking. [source]
It was more than a mere desire. They were bent on putting themselves again into bondage. See on Matthew 1:19. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 4:9
See on Luke 1:3. Literally, from the top (Matthew 27:51). Expositors are divided on the rendering of ἄνωθεν , some translating, from above, and others, again or anew. The word is used in the following senses in the New Testament, where it occurs thirteen times: 1. From the top: Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; John 19:23. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. From above: John 3:31; John 19:11; James 1:17; James 3:15, James 3:17. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 3. From the beginning: Luke 1:3; Acts 26:5. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 4. Again: Galatians 4:9, but accompanied by πάλιν , again. In favor of the rendering from above, it is urged that it corresponds to John's habitual method of describing the work of spiritual regeneration as a birth from God (John 1:13; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:8); and further, that it is Paul, and not John, who describes it as a new birth. In favor of the other rendering, again, it may be said: 1. that from above does not describe the fact but the nature of the new birth, which in the logical order would be stated after the fact, but which is first announced if we render from above. If we translate anew or again, the logical order is preserved, the nature of the birth being described in John 3:5. 2. That Nicodemus clearly understood the word as meaning again, since, in John 3:4, he translated it into a second time. 3. That it seems strange that Nicodemus should have been startled by the idea of a birth from heaven. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Canon Westcott calls attention to the traditional form of the saying in which the word ἀναγεννᾶσθαι , which can only mean reborn, is used as its equivalent. Again, however, does not give the exact force of the word, which is rather as Rev., anew, or afresh. Render, therefore, as Rev., except a man be born anew. The phrase occurs only in John's Gospel. [source]
The same, i.e., this same man who loves God. He does not say knows God, but implies this in the larger truth, is known by God. Compare Galatians 4:9; 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:19. Γινώσκω in New-Testament Greek often denotes a personal relation between the knower and the known, so that the knowledge of an object implies the influence of that object upon the knower. So John 2:24, John 2:25; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 1 John 4:8. In John the relation itself is expressed by the verb. John 17:3, John 17:25; 1 John 5:20; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 2:3, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 2:5. [source]
Loving God (condition of first class again) is the way to come to know God. It is not certain whether ουτος houtos refers to the man who loves God or to God who is loved. Both are true. God knows those that are his (2 Timothy 2:19; Exodus 33:12). Those who know God are known of God (Galatians 4:9). We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). But here Paul uses both ideas and both verbs. Εγνωσται Egnōstai is perfect passive indicative of γινωσκω ginōskō an abiding state of recognition by God sets the seal of his favour on the one who loves him. So much for the principle. [source]
Are bent on being under the law. See on Galatians 4:9. [source]
Periphrastic past perfect of δουλοω douloō to enslave, in a permanent state of bondage. Under the rudiments of the world (υπο τα στοιχεια του κοσμου hupo ta stoicheia tou kosmou). Στοιχος Stoichos is row or rank, a series. So στοιχειον stoicheion is any first thing in a στοιχος stoichos like the letters of the alphabet, the material elements in the universe (2 Peter 3:10), the heavenly bodies (some argue for that here), the rudiments of any act (Hebrews 5:12; Acts 15:10; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:20). The papyri illustrate all the varieties in meaning of this word. Burton has a valuable excursus on the word in his commentary. Probably here (Lightfoot) Paul has in mind the rudimentary character of the law as it applies to both Jews and Gentiles, to all the knowledge of the world (κοσμος kosmos as the orderly material universe as in Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:20). See note on Matthew 13:38; note on Acts 17:24; note on 1 Corinthians 3:22. All were in the elementary stage before Christ came. [source]
Στοιχος Stoichos is row or rank, a series. So στοιχειον stoicheion is any first thing in a στοιχος stoichos like the letters of the alphabet, the material elements in the universe (2 Peter 3:10), the heavenly bodies (some argue for that here), the rudiments of any act (Hebrews 5:12; Acts 15:10; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:20). The papyri illustrate all the varieties in meaning of this word. Burton has a valuable excursus on the word in his commentary. Probably here (Lightfoot) Paul has in mind the rudimentary character of the law as it applies to both Jews and Gentiles, to all the knowledge of the world See note on Matthew 13:38; note on Acts 17:24; note on 1 Corinthians 3:22. All were in the elementary stage before Christ came. [source]
See on 2 Peter 3:10. Rudimentary teachings, as in Hebrews 5:12; applicable alike to Jewish and to Gentile teaching. Ceremonialism - meats, drinks, washings, Essenic asceticism, pagan symbolic mysteries and initiatory rites - all belonged to a rudimentary moral stage. Compare Colossians 2:11, Colossians 2:21, and Galatians 4:9. [source]
The mystery of the admission of the Gentiles to the gospel covenant, now revealed through Paul's preaching, was divinely rich and glorious. This glory is the manifestation of the kingdom of Christ among the Gentiles as their inheritance (Colossians 1:12; compare Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; 2 Corinthians 4:17). The richness exhibited itself in the free dispensation of the Gospel to the Gentile as well as to the Jew. It was not limited by national lines. Compare “the same Lord is rich unto all,” Romans 10:12; and beggarly elements, Galatians 4:9. [source]
Negative purpose with the future indicative, though the aorist subjunctive also occurs as in 2 Corinthians 12:6. That maketh spoil of you (ο συλαγωγων ho sulagōgōn). Articular present active participle of συλαγωγεω sulagōgeō late and rare (found here first) verb (from συλη sulē booty, and αγω agō to lead, to carry), to carry off as booty a captive, slave, maiden. Only here in N.T. Note the singular here. There was some one outstanding leader who was doing most of the damage in leading the people astray. Through his philosophy The only use of the word in the N.T. and employed by Paul because the Gnostics were fond of it. Old word from πιλοσοπος philosophos Old word for trick, guile, like riches (Matthew 13:22). Descriptive of the philosophy of the Gnostics. Tradition Old word from στοιχεια paradidōmi a giving over, a passing on. The word is colourless in itself. The tradition may be good (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6) or bad (Mark 7:3). Here it is worthless and harmful, merely the foolish theories of the Gnostics. Rudiments (στοιχος stoicheia). Old word for anything in a και ου κατα Χριστον stoichos (row, series) like the letters of the alphabet, the materials of the universe (2 Peter 3:10, 2 Peter 3:12), elementary teaching (Hebrews 5:12), elements of Jewish ceremonial training (Acts 15:10; Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9), the specious arguments of the Gnostic philosophers as here with all their aeons and rules of life. And not after Christ Christ is the yardstick by which to measure philosophy and all phases of human knowledge. The Gnostics were measuring Christ by their philosophy as many men are doing today. They have it backwards. Christ is the measure for all human knowledge since he is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe. [source]
The only use of the word in the N.T. and employed by Paul because the Gnostics were fond of it. Old word from πιλοσοπος philosophos Old word for trick, guile, like riches (Matthew 13:22). Descriptive of the philosophy of the Gnostics. Tradition Old word from στοιχεια paradidōmi a giving over, a passing on. The word is colourless in itself. The tradition may be good (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6) or bad (Mark 7:3). Here it is worthless and harmful, merely the foolish theories of the Gnostics. Rudiments (στοιχος stoicheia). Old word for anything in a και ου κατα Χριστον stoichos (row, series) like the letters of the alphabet, the materials of the universe (2 Peter 3:10, 2 Peter 3:12), elementary teaching (Hebrews 5:12), elements of Jewish ceremonial training (Acts 15:10; Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9), the specious arguments of the Gnostic philosophers as here with all their aeons and rules of life. And not after Christ Christ is the yardstick by which to measure philosophy and all phases of human knowledge. The Gnostics were measuring Christ by their philosophy as many men are doing today. They have it backwards. Christ is the measure for all human knowledge since he is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe. [source]
Old word for anything in a και ου κατα Χριστον stoichos (row, series) like the letters of the alphabet, the materials of the universe (2 Peter 3:10, 2 Peter 3:12), elementary teaching (Hebrews 5:12), elements of Jewish ceremonial training (Acts 15:10; Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9), the specious arguments of the Gnostic philosophers as here with all their aeons and rules of life. [source]
Old word from στοιχεια paradidōmi a giving over, a passing on. The word is colourless in itself. The tradition may be good (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6) or bad (Mark 7:3). Here it is worthless and harmful, merely the foolish theories of the Gnostics. Rudiments (στοιχος stoicheia). Old word for anything in a και ου κατα Χριστον stoichos (row, series) like the letters of the alphabet, the materials of the universe (2 Peter 3:10, 2 Peter 3:12), elementary teaching (Hebrews 5:12), elements of Jewish ceremonial training (Acts 15:10; Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9), the specious arguments of the Gnostic philosophers as here with all their aeons and rules of life. And not after Christ Christ is the yardstick by which to measure philosophy and all phases of human knowledge. The Gnostics were measuring Christ by their philosophy as many men are doing today. They have it backwards. Christ is the measure for all human knowledge since he is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe. [source]
Here the interrogative adverb πως pōs in this part of the indirect question. This part about “them” (you) as the first part about Paul. The verb επιστρεπω epistrephō is an old verb for turning and is common in the Acts for Gentiles turning to God, as here from idols, though not by Paul again in this sense. In Galatians 4:9 Paul uses it for turning to the weak and beggarly elements of Judaism. [source]
Linear present active indicative, keep on reporting. What manner of entering in (οποιαν εισοδον hopoian eisodon). What sort of entrance, qualitative relative in an indirect question. We had Second aorist active (ingressive) indicative of the common verb εχω echō And how (και πως kai pōs). Here the interrogative adverb πως pōs in this part of the indirect question. This part about “them” (you) as the first part about Paul. The verb επιστρεπω epistrephō is an old verb for turning and is common in the Acts for Gentiles turning to God, as here from idols, though not by Paul again in this sense. In Galatians 4:9 Paul uses it for turning to the weak and beggarly elements of Judaism. From idols Old word from ειδος eidos (figure) for image or likeness and then for the image of a heathen god (our idol). Common in the lxx in this sense. In Acts 14:15 Paul at Lystra urged the people to turn from these vain things to the living God No article, it is true, but should be translated “the living and true God” (cf. Acts 14:15). Not “dead” like the idols from which they turned, but alive and genuine (αλητινος alēthinos not αλητης alēthēs). [source]
Second aorist active (ingressive) indicative of the common verb εχω echō And how (και πως kai pōs). Here the interrogative adverb πως pōs in this part of the indirect question. This part about “them” (you) as the first part about Paul. The verb επιστρεπω epistrephō is an old verb for turning and is common in the Acts for Gentiles turning to God, as here from idols, though not by Paul again in this sense. In Galatians 4:9 Paul uses it for turning to the weak and beggarly elements of Judaism. From idols Old word from ειδος eidos (figure) for image or likeness and then for the image of a heathen god (our idol). Common in the lxx in this sense. In Acts 14:15 Paul at Lystra urged the people to turn from these vain things to the living God No article, it is true, but should be translated “the living and true God” (cf. Acts 14:15). Not “dead” like the idols from which they turned, but alive and genuine (αλητινος alēthinos not αλητης alēthēs). [source]
To know God is to know him as the one, true God as distinguished from false gods; to know his will, his holiness, his hatred of sin, and his saving intent toward mankind. Two words are used of such knowledge, εἰδέναι and γινώσκειν . Both are applied to the heathen and to Christians, and both are used of the Jews' knowledge of God. Ἑιδέναι , of heathen, Galatians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Γινώσκειν of heathen, Romans 1:21; 1 Corinthians 1:21. Ἑιδέναι , of Christ and Christians, John 7:29, John 8:19, John 8:55; John 14:7. Γινώσκειν of Christ and Christians, Galatians 4:9; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 4:6, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:8; John 10:15; John 17:3. In John, γινώσκειν of Jews who do not know the Father, John 16:3; John 8:55: εἰδέναι , John 7:28; John 8:19; John 15:21. The two are combined, John 1:26; John 7:27; John 8:55; 2 Corinthians 5:16. A distinction is asserted between γινώσκειν as knowledge grounded in personal experience, apprehension of external impressions - and εἰδέμαι purely mental perception in contrast with conjecture or knowledge derived from others. There are doubtless passages which bear out this distinction (see on John 2:24), but it is impossible to carry it rigidly through the N.T. In the two classes, - those who know not God and those who obey not the gospel, - it is not probable that Paul has in mind a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. The Jews were not ignorant of God, yet they are described by John as not knowing him. The Gentiles are described by Paul as knowing God, but as refusing to glorify him as God (Romans 1:21). Paul rather describes here the subjects of God's judgment as one class, but under different aspects. [source]
The first inscription: God knows his own. Comp. Numbers 16:5; 1 Corinthians 13:12. For ἔγνω knowethsee on Galatians 4:9. Them that are his, his ἐκλεκτοὶ chosensee 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9: Revelation 17:14. Not, however, in any hard, predestinarian sense. Comp. John 10:14; Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:25, Luke 13:27. [source]
Predicate nominative after ειναι einai By reason of the time Alas, what a commentary on modern Christians. That some one teach you the rudiments Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teaching) with two accusatives of the person For στοιχεια stoicheia see Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8. Of the first principles of the oracles of God Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]
Alas, what a commentary on modern Christians. That some one teach you the rudiments Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teaching) with two accusatives of the person For στοιχεια stoicheia see Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8. Of the first principles of the oracles of God Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]
Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teaching) with two accusatives of the person For στοιχεια stoicheia see Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8. Of the first principles of the oracles of God Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]