Paul is surprised and disheartened to hear that the Galatians have substituted adherence to man-made rules and regulations for the gospel.1 He asks a question that is meant to show the foolishness of their decision to submit themselves to old covenant law.
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?