To be known by God refers to God’s choosing someone (Genesis 18:19; Amos 3:2; Jeremiah 1:5).1 It is a phrase that emphasizes the divine initiative of God who chooses and calls those whom he pleases (Acts 13:48; Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:15; Galatians 5:8, Galatians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).2 God had visited the Galatians in his mercy;3 they have been adopted as sons, they are known by God.
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?