Did Paul pity the Sabbath Keepers ?

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“[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ye observe [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]days, and months, and times, and years[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif].[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am afraid of you,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Gal 4:10-11[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Paul pities those who observe “days, months, years” stating that they are holding in weak [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]and beggarly elements and in bondage. Could the sabbath be amongst the things that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]they observe that Paul pities them on.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]This is a very serious subject that we need to approach with caution. For the bible to pity [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]someone it's a serious issue, if you consider all the cases in scripture when the people [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]were pitied.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]So. Does this passage cover the Sabbath (Saturday) observance ? Look at how Paul mentions many types of observances ranging from year based, months based, day based. Was Paul insisting on every form of observance including the Sabbath ?[/FONT]

DO SABBATH KEEPERS NEED TO BE PITIED ?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

“[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ye observe [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]days, and months, and times, and years[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif].[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am afraid of you,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Gal 4:10-11[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Paul pities those who observe “days, months, years” stating that they are holding in weak [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]and beggarly elements and in bondage. Could the sabbath be amongst the things that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]they observe that Paul pities them on.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]This is a very serious subject that we need to approach with caution. For the bible to pity [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]someone it's a serious issue, if you consider all the cases in scripture when the people [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]were pitied.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]So. Does this passage cover the Sabbath (Saturday) observance ? Look at how Paul mentions many types of observances ranging from year based, months based, day based. Was Paul insisting on every form of observance including the Sabbath ?[/FONT]

DO SABBATH KEEPERS NEED TO BE PITIED ?

The passage you cite is Galatians 4:10. What does the context tell us? For example, what do we make of Galatians 4:21-31? What does Hagar represent?

Because the context of Galatians 4:10 relates to "the covenant that was from Sinai," then it seems clear to me that the "observances" that were conducted during "days and months and seasons and years" are the same "observances" described in Leviticus 23.

I personally believe that the point of Galatians 4:10 should also be viewed in light of Galatians 3:10-14. Those who rely on the law are under a curse. This includes those who rely on "days and months and seasons and years." Paul tells us in Romans 14 that we are not to judge one another based on an observance of sacred days. Therefore, if anyone is to be pitied, it is the man who relies on such observance, for such man is cursed.

I assert that the SDA position regarding the mark of the beast provides one example of an incorrect reliance on the observance of "days and months and seasons and years."

BFA

 

[Cribstyl]

“[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ye observe [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]days, and months, and times, and years[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif].[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am afraid of you,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Gal 4:10-11[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Paul pities those who observe “days, months, years” stating that they are holding in weak [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]and beggarly elements and in bondage. Could the sabbath be amongst the things that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]they observe that Paul pities them on.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]This is a very serious subject that we need to approach with caution. For the bible to pity [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]someone it's a serious issue, if you consider all the cases in scripture when the people [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]were pitied.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]So. Does this passage cover the Sabbath (Saturday) observance ? Look at how Paul mentions many types of observances ranging from year based, months based, day based. Was Paul insisting on every form of observance including the Sabbath ?[/FONT]

DO SABBATH KEEPERS NEED TO BE PITIED ?

NO, I dont think so, these ar not sabbathkeepers.
Paul is "NOT" addressing people who worshipped "Jahovah, The Creator," but rather, "people who did service to false Gods."
Gal 4:8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.


They knew not God, so why should we think that sabbathkeeping rather than somethingelse like zodiac is the issue?


CRIB

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

If this was in reference to biblical sabbaths, weekly or annual, Paul would have certainly mentioned them by name. It's not as though he was unfamiliar with them. Also, he mentions "months" and the Law commanded no monthly observances. Paul is clearly talking about pagan observances. It is exquisitely ironic how most of those who use that use that verse against those who keep the Sabbath and the Holy Days themselves observe Christmas and Easter. They're really talking about themselves.

 

[djconklin]

ROFL!

And if Paul was talking about the Sabbath in Galatians then why his very tame response in Colossians?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

If this was in reference to biblical sabbaths, weekly or annual, Paul would have certainly mentioned them by name.

Was that Paul's pattern? When Paul referred to the annual and weekly sabbaths as a whole, did he ever refer to them individually?

What does the context of Galatians 4 tell us?

BFA

 

[dragNdrop]

Cribstyl.

I think you missed Paul's point in Gal 4:8. In Galatians, Paul is addressing the Christian church which was being led back into bondage by those whom Gal 4:8 reffers to as "those not by nature being gods".

In other words Paul is wondering why they allowed themselves to be enslaved by those who are not even Gods. He was addressing the Church not pagans nor necessarily ex pagans.

DJ Conklin

I think your response is weak as BFA states. Nowhere in the New Testament was a pattern laid of how the Apostles reffered to the annual nor weekly sabbaths. Even if there was, that would not bar Apostles to use other figures of expression in Gal 10.

What we need to find out is: Is the Sabbath included in Gal 4 ? Please throw in some studied arguments.

Does not the fact that Paul mentions all types of observances (that is day, month, yearly) suggest the inclusion of a Sabbath ?

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

Was that Paul's pattern? When Paul referred to the annual and weekly sabbaths as a whole, did he ever refer to them individually?

Absotively Posilutely!

Feast of Unleavened Bread:

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:8

Pentecost:

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 1 Corinthians 16:8

Feast of Tabernacles:

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. Acts 18:20-21

What does the context of Galatians 4 tell us?

Cribstyl already answered that.

Does not the fact that Paul mentions all types of observances (that is day, month, yearly) suggest the inclusion of a Sabbath ?

Does it suggest the inclusion of Sunday? How about Christmas or Easter?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Feast of Unleavened Bread:

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:8

Pentecost:

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 1 Corinthians 16:8

Feast of Tabernacles:

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. Acts 18:20-21

Your examples do not speak to my question. Your examples relate to one sabbath/convocation in isolation, not to all sabbaths/convocations as a whole.

I am looking for examples where Paul referred to a group of sabbaths/convocations? When he did so, how did he refer to them? Consider these examples:

"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Colossians 2

"One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Romans 14

"You are observing special days and months and seasons and years." Galatians 4
​

Notice how he didn't not specifically mention each individual sabbath/convocation?

Does it suggest the inclusion of Sunday? How about Christmas or Easter?

The context suggests a return to "days and months and seasons and years." Were Christmas or Easter existing practices to which the Galatians could return? I don't think so.

BFA

 

[Joe67]

Paul felt the emotion to be cut off from Christ for those still bound under days and foods. Romans 9. Similar to Moses at Mt. Sinai.

Later Paul shaved his head at James' request so that the thousands of believers at Jerusalem who still observed the customs from Moses would not have an occasion to the flesh.

What is meant by pity has different emotions in us. Paul did not despise the herb eaters and those who observed time worship.

Joe

 

[Restin]

I believe 'sabbath' was not an issue with Paul or with other fellow Christians.

1 Cor 9:20-23
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;

21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. NASU

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

I am looking for examples where Paul referred to a group of sabbaths/convocations? When he did so, how did he refer to them? Consider these examples:

"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Colossians 2

"One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Romans 14

"You are observing special days and months and seasons and years." Galatians 4
​

Notice how he didn't not specifically mention each individual sabbath/convocation?

In only one of those examples are sabbaths mentioned at all, and one example does not a pattern make. Also, the one example that does mention sabbaths is ambiguous as to which sabbaths are being referred to.

The context suggests a return to "days and months and seasons and years." Were Christmas or Easter existing practices to which the Galatians could return? I don't think so.

I think the Galatians could well return to winter solstice festivals and spring fertility rites.

 

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[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Looking at the passage we can say that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'days'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [[/FONT]hēmera[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]] is universal and was used in various senses. Here the word 'days' could refer to the Day of Atonement, The Sabbath (Saturday), or any other 'holy' day. The problem is that Paul does not give us a clear indication of whether the Sabbath was part of the days not to be observed anymore.[/FONT]






[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Summary[/FONT]






[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]There is no solid evidence that Galatians 10 was abolishing the seventh day weekly Sabbath holiness since the term used were too general and could refer to any day or feast.[/FONT]

 

[Joe67]

Anyone who worships God through space(idols) or time(sorcery) must be treated very gently as sincere children of God. Jesus did not hate those that he reproved. He knew how helpless they were in the power of the angel.

God has not given everyone the same knowledge. We must not trample upon the weak or condemn those who are wise in their own eyes.

I believe Paul understood from what Jesus said that the stubbornness of the Jewish people through the Sanctuary and the Sabbath holiness would provoke the Roman government to destroy them.

The Sanctuary was their idolatry. The Sabbath as a 24hr sacredness of time issue led them to feel superior to society around them. This burdened Paul for these people from whom God had called him into God's grace in Jesus of Nazareth.

Joe

 

[Cribstyl]

Cribstyl.

I think you missed Paul's point in Gal 4:8. In Galatians, Paul is addressing the Christian church which was being led back into bondage by those whom Gal 4:8 reffers to as "those not by nature being gods".

In other words Paul is wondering why they allowed themselves to be enslaved by those who are not even Gods. He was addressing the Church not pagans nor necessarily ex pagans.

Respectfully friend,
I do believe this text relates to former observances rather than Jewish persuations, as most bible versions articulates.
Here's the ESV and NLT


ESV - Gal 4:8 -Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.
ESV - Gal 4:9 -But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?


NLT - Gal 4:8 -Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist.
NLT - Gal 4:9 -And now that you have found God (or should I say, now that God has found you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual powers of this world?

What we need to find out is: Is the Sabbath included in Gal 4 ? Please throw in some studied arguments.

OK...I reread and studied the book of Galatians. I believe that most of who Paul is addressing were of Gentile origin.



Does not the fact that Paul mentions all types of observances (that is day, month, yearly) suggest the inclusion of a Sabbath ?[/quote]


I Understand your argument but I disagree because Paul is addressing Gentiles about their lives before they came to Christ.


CRIB

 

[Cribstyl]

I believe 'sabbath' was not an issue with Paul or with other fellow Christians.

I agree with that friend.

Also, the NT lays out how Paul went to preach to Gentiles, while the other Apostles continued unto the Jews.
Paul teachings does become the focal point of the bible. Paul fights off Jews who were trying to put Gentiles under the law.

The issue of days set aside to worship is a personal choice between a man and His God. (settled in scripture)

The argument about Sabbath being a creation ordinance is false. (commentary)

 

[Byfaithalone1]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]There is no solid evidence that Galatians 10 was abolishing the seventh day weekly Sabbath holiness since the term used were too general and could refer to any day or feast.[/FONT]

Using Scripture, please cite the days, months, seasons and years to which Galations 4:10 refers? Then, once you've done so, we can conclude what evidence we have and don't have.


The pattern that Paul is using conforms to the pattern that is also set out in Leviticus 23-26.


As I indicated in a previous post, the problem was not the days, months, seasons and years, but rather it was the reliance on days, months, seasons and years.

BFA

 

[digdeep]

“[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ye observe [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]days, and months, and times, and years[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif].[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am afraid of you,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Gal 4:10-11[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Paul pities those who observe “days, months, years” stating that they are holding in weak [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]and beggarly elements and in bondage. Could the sabbath be amongst the things that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]they observe that Paul pities them on.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]This is a very serious subject that we need to approach with caution. For the bible to pity [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]someone it's a serious issue, if you consider all the cases in scripture when the people [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]were pitied.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]So. Does this passage cover the Sabbath (Saturday) observance ? Look at how Paul mentions many types of observances ranging from year based, months based, day based. Was Paul insisting on every form of observance including the Sabbath ?[/FONT]

DO SABBATH KEEPERS NEED TO BE PITIED ?

YES!! IF they do so in order to be saved!! Anyone depending on anything or any observance other than Faith in Jesus need to be pited because they are lost.

DD

 

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It Seems Like We All Agree That Gal 10 Does Not Annul The Sabbath. Am I Right To Conclude So ?

 

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[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Looking at Gal 10:9-10 we can say that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'years'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [[/FONT]eniautos[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]] referred to festivals occurring[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]after some years like the Jubilee (49[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] Years), 7[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] Year Sabbaths and other celebrations[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]taking place after some years (Lev 25:8-15; 25:4; etc).[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Looking at the passage we can say that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'times'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] or [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'seasons'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [[/FONT]kairos[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]] referred to any feast[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]based on a particular season of a year. There were feasts that were season based that is,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]the 'feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles' ASV.[/FONT]



[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Moses, on[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]even[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]in the [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]feast of unleavened bread[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif], and in the [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]feast of weeks[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif], and in the f[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]east of[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]tabernacles.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]” II Chron 8:13 KJV[/FONT][/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The seventh day is weekly and not seasonal so [/FONT]kairos[FONT=Arial, sans-serif] does not refer to the seventh[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]day sabbath.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Looking at the passage we can say that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'months'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [[/FONT]mēn[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]] probably referred to the New[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Moon Festival which was done every month [[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brittanicca Online: [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“New Moon Festival”[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]].[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]However it is clear that this does not refer to the weekly Sabbath.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Looking at the passage we can say that [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'days'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [[/FONT]hēmera[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]] is universal and was used in[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]various senses. Here the word 'days' could refer to the Day of Atonement, The Sabbath[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif](Saturday), or any other 'holy' day. The problem is that Paul does not give us a clear[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]indication of whether the Sabbath was part of the days not to be observed anymore.[/FONT]






[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Summary[/FONT]






[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]There is no solid evidence that Galatians 10 was abolishing the seventh day weekly[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Sabbath holiness since the term used [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]'days'[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [[/FONT]hēmera[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]] [/FONT]was too general and could refer to[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]any day or feast.[/FONT]