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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 4:10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/48_Gal_04_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:10 - Paul's Fears for the Galatians" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!" /><script type="application/javascript" 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border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/4-9.htm" title="Galatians 4:9">◄</a> Galatians 4:10 <a href="/galatians/4-11.htm" title="Galatians 4:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />[For example,] you observe [particular] days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You even celebrate certain days, months, seasons, and years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You religiously observe days, months, seasons, and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You pay special attention to certain days, months, seasons, and years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are observing days, months, seasons, and years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You are observing religious days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You observe days, months, seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />You scrupulously observe days and months, special seasons, and years.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You observe days, months, seasons, and years. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You observe days, and months, and times, and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You observe days and months and seasons and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> days ye observe, and months, and times, and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye observe narrowly days, and months, and times, and years.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You observe days, and months, and times, and years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You serve the days, and months, and times, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You are observing days, months, seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You still observe days and months and times and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />You observe days and months and times and years.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />You observe days and months and times and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Do you keep days, and months, and times and years?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />observing as you do, the days, the moons, the feasts and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />You scrupulously observe days and months, special seasons, and years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Ye are scrupulously observing days, and months, and seasons, and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/4-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=781" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Paul's Fears for the Galatians</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3906.htm" title="3906: paratēreisthe (V-PIM-2P) -- To watch, observe scrupulously. From para and tereo; to inspect alongside, i.e. Note insidiously or scrupulously.">You are observing</a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmeras (N-AFP) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">special days</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3376.htm" title="3376: mēnas (N-AMP) -- A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month.">months</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2540.htm" title="2540: kairous (N-AMP) -- Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.">seasons</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1763.htm" title="1763: eniautous (N-AMP) -- A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year.">years!</a> </span> <span class="reftext">11</span>I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a></span><br />Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-5.htm">Romans 14:5-6</a></span><br />One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. / He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a></span><br />For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a></span><br />For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a></span><br />Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-11</a></span><br />Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Matthew 12:1-8</a></span><br />At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-27.htm">Mark 2:27-28</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Luke 6:1-5</a></span><br />One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6</a></span><br />But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Hebrews 8:5</a></span><br />The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/23-1.htm">Leviticus 23:1-44</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. / For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/28-16.htm">Numbers 28:16-31</a></span><br />The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. / On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten. / On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">Deuteronomy 16:1-17</a></span><br />Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. / You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. / You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Isaiah 1:13-14</a></span><br />Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You observe days, and months, and times, and years.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/23-1.htm">Leviticus 23:1-44</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/25-1.htm">Leviticus 25:1,13</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/28-1.htm">Numbers 28:1-29:40</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/4-2.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/acts/28-11.htm">Months</a> <a href="/galatians/3-5.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/galatians/3-2.htm">Observing</a> <a href="/romans/2-27.htm">Scrupulously</a> <a href="/acts/20-18.htm">Seasons</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-38.htm">Special</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/2-22.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-23.htm">Months</a> <a href="/philippians/3-17.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/exodus/31-16.htm">Observing</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Scrupulously</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-1.htm">Seasons</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-14.htm">Special</a> <a href="/galatians/4-18.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You are observing special days</b><br>In the context of Galatians, Paul addresses the Galatian Christians who were being influenced by Judaizers to observe Jewish ceremonial laws. The "special days" likely refer to the Jewish Sabbath and other holy days prescribed in the Mosaic Law. This practice was part of the Old Covenant, which Paul argues is no longer binding for Christians under the New Covenant. The observance of these days was a shadow of things to come, as mentioned in <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a>, where Paul emphasizes that the substance belongs to Christ. The focus on these days can detract from the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross.<p><b>and months</b><br>The mention of "months" could refer to the new moon festivals, which were part of the Jewish calendar and religious observance. These were times of special sacrifices and offerings as outlined in <a href="/numbers/28-11.htm">Numbers 28:11-15</a>. The new moon was a time of renewal and was significant in the Jewish agricultural calendar. However, in the New Testament context, Paul is concerned that the Galatians are reverting to a system of law that Christ has fulfilled, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/10.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a>, which speaks of the law as a shadow of the good things to come.<p><b>and seasons</b><br>"Seasons" may refer to the various Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These festivals were deeply rooted in Jewish history and culture, commemorating significant events in Israel's past. For instance, Passover celebrates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, as described in <a href="/exodus/12.htm">Exodus 12</a>. While these festivals were important under the Old Covenant, Paul stresses that they are not necessary for salvation in Christ. The fulfillment of these festivals is found in Jesus, who is our Passover lamb (<a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">1 Corinthians 5:7</a>).<p><b>and years!</b><br>The reference to "years" could be pointing to the sabbatical year and the year of Jubilee, as outlined in <a href="/leviticus/25.htm">Leviticus 25</a>. These were times of rest and release, reflecting God's provision and mercy. The sabbatical year occurred every seventh year, and the Jubilee every fiftieth year, emphasizing themes of redemption and freedom. In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims the fulfillment of the Jubilee in <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a>, declaring the year of the Lord's favor. Paul’s concern is that the Galatians are being led back into bondage by observing these years, rather than living in the freedom Christ provides.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in the region of Galatia.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia who were being influenced by Judaizers.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a></b><br>A group of individuals who were teaching that Gentile Christians must observe Jewish laws and customs, including the observance of special days.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a></b><br>A region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the churches addressed in this letter were located.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/observance_of_days.htm">Observance of Days</a></b><br>Refers to the practice of observing Jewish festivals, Sabbaths, and other religious days, which Paul argues is not necessary for salvation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a></b><br>Believers are not bound by the Old Testament law, including the observance of special days, as Christ has fulfilled the law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legalism_vs._grace.htm">Legalism vs. Grace</a></b><br>Legalism can creep into our faith when we start to believe that our observance of religious rituals earns us favor with God. We must remember that salvation is by grace through faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_religious_sensitivity.htm">Cultural and Religious Sensitivity</a></b><br>While we have freedom in Christ, we should be sensitive to the cultural and religious backgrounds of others, ensuring that our freedom does not become a stumbling block.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_the_substance.htm">Focus on the Substance</a></b><br>The focus should be on the substance, which is Christ, rather than the shadow, which is the observance of days and rituals.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a></b><br>The body of Christ is diverse, and we should strive for unity, respecting different convictions regarding non-essential practices.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_jewish_calendar_structure.htm">What is the structure of the Jewish calendar?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_new_moon.htm">What does the Bible say about the New Moon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_holy_days_of_obligation.htm">What are the Holy Days of Obligation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_structure_a_church_service.htm">How should a church service be structured?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">Ye observe.</span>--A compound word, signifying not only "to observe," but "to observe <span class= "ital">scrupulously."</span> The word is used by Josephus in his paraphrase of the fourth commandment: "Remember the sabbath day to <span class= "ital">keep</span> it holy" (<span class= "ital">Ant. iii.</span> 5, ? 5).<p><span class= "bld">Days</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> in the first instance and especially, the Jewish sabbaths; but other fasts or festivals which occupied a single day may be included.<p><span class= "bld">Months.</span>--The description mounts in an ascending scale--days, months, seasons, years. The "months," however, mean really "the first day of the month," the "new moon." (See <a href="/leviticus/23-24.htm" title="Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall you have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.">Leviticus 23:24</a>; <a href="/numbers/28-11.htm" title="And in the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;">Numbers 28:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/81-3.htm" title="Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.">Psalm 81:3</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Times.</span>--<span class= "ital">Seasons</span>: such as the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.<p><span class= "bld">Years.</span>--Such as the sabbatical year and the year of jubilee. The Apostle is giving a list which is intended to be exhaustive of all Jewish observances, so that it would not necessarily follow that the Galatians had actually kept the year of jubilee, or even that it was kept literally by the Jews at this time.<p>As to the bearing of this passage on the general question of the observance of seasons, it is to be noticed that the reference is here to the adoption by the Galatians of the <span class= "ital">Jewish</span> seasons as a mark of the extent to which they were prepared to take on themselves the burden of the Mosaic law. It does not necessarily follow that the observance of Christian seasons is condemned. At the same time, it is quite clear that St. Paul places all such matters under the head of "elements" or "rudiments." They belong to the lowest section of Christian practice, and the more advanced a Christian is the less he needs to be bound by them. This, again, is qualified by the consideration that it is dangerous for any one individual to assume his own advanced condition, and to think himself able to dispense with the safeguards which his brother-Christians require. It is safest to follow the general rule of the Church, so long as it is done <span class= "ital">intelligently</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> with a consciousness of the reason and expediency of what is done, and not in a spirit of mere mechanical routine. The comparison between the literal and the spiritual observance of seasons, and the superiority of the latter as the more excellent way, is well brought out by Origen in some comments upon this passage: "If it be objected to us on this subject that we are accustomed to observe certain days--as, for example, the Lord's Day, the Preparation, the Passover, or Pentecost--I have to answer that, to the perfect Christian--who is ever in his thoughts, words, and deeds serving his natural Lord, God the Word--all his days are the Lord's, and he is always keeping the Lord's Day. He, also, who is unceasingly preparing himself for the true life, and abstaining from the pleasures of this life which lead astray so many, such a one is always keeping the Preparation Day. Again, he who considers that 'Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us,' and that it is his duty to keep the feast by eating of the flesh of the Word, never ceases to keep the Paschal Feast. And, finally, he who can truly say: 'We are risen with Christ,' and 'He hath exalted us, and made us sit with Him in heavenly places in Christ,' is always living in the season of Pentecost . . . But the majority of those who are accounted believers are not of this advanced class; but from being either unable or unwilling to keep every day in this manner, they require some sensible memorial to prevent spiritual things from passing away altogether from their minds" (<span class= "ital">Against Celsus,</span> viii. 22, 23). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye observe days, and months,</span> <span class="cmt_word">and times, and years</span> (<span class="greek">ἡμέρας παρατηρεῖσθε</span>, <span class="greek">καὶ μῆνας καὶ καιρούς καὶ ἐνιαυτούς</span>); <span class="accented">days ye are intent on observing</span>, <span class="accented">and months</span>, <span class="accented">and seasons</span>, <span class="accented">and years.</span> In the compound verb <span class="greek">παρατηρεῖν</span>, the prepositional prefix, which often denotes "amiss," seems rather, from the sense of "at one's side," to give the verb the shade of close, intent observation. This may be shown by the circumstances to be of an insidious character; thus the active <span class="greek">παρατηρεῖν</span> in <a href="/mark/3-2.htm">Mark 3:2</a>; <a href="/luke/6-7.htm">Luke 6:7</a>; <a href="/luke/14-1.htm">Luke 14:1</a>; <a href="/acts/9-24.htm">Acts 9:24</a>, and the middle <span class="greek">παρατηροῦμαι</span>, with no apparent difference of sense, in <a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Luke 20:20</a>. Josephus uses the verb of "keeping the sabbath days" ('Ant.,' 3:05, 8), and the noun <span class="greek">παρατήρησις</span> <span class="greek">τῶν νομίμων</span>, for "observance of the things which are according to the laws" ('Ant.,' 8:03, 9). The accumulation of nouns with the reiterated "and," furnishing another example of the <span class="greek">δεινότης</span> of St. Paul's style, betokens a scornfully impatient mimesis. These reactionaries were full of festival-observing pedantry - "days," "new moons," "festivals," "holy years," being always on their lips. The meaning of the first three of the nouns is partially suggested by <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16</a>, "Let no man judge you... in respect of a feast day, or a new moon, or a sabbath day (<span class="greek">ἑορτῆς νουμηνίας</span>, <span class="greek">σαββάτων</span>);" in which passage, we may observe, there is a similar tone of half-mocking mimesis; where the same ideas are apparently presented, but in a reverse order. Comp. also <a href="/2_chronicles/8-13.htm">2 Chronicles 8:13</a>, Offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles." The "days," then, in the present passage, we may suppose, are the sabbath days, together perhaps with the two fast days every week which the Jewish tradition prescribed (<a href="/luke/18-12.htm">Luke 18:12</a>). The "months" point to the new moons, the observance of which might occasion to these Gentiles considerable scope for discussion in adjusting themselves to the Jewish calendar, different no doubt from the calendar they had been hitherto used to. The "seasons" would be the annual festivals and fasts of the Jews, not only the three prescribed by the Levitical Law, but also certain others added by tradition, as the Feasts of Purim and of Dedication. So far we appear to be on tolerably sure ground. The fourth item, "years," may refer either to the sabbatical year (<a href="/leviticus/25-2.htm">Leviticus 25:2-7</a>), which at any rate latterly the Jews had got to pay much attention to (1 Macc. 6:49, 53; Josephus, 'Ant.,' 14:10, 6; also 14:16, 2; Tacitus, 'Hist.,' 5:4); or possibly the jubilee years, one such fiftieth year, it might be, falling about this time due. Bengel ('Gnomon') supposes that a sabbatical year might be being held A.D. , to which date he assigns this Epistle; while Wieseler ('Chronicles Synops.,' p. 204, etc., referred to by Bishop Lightfoot) offers a similar conjecture for the year A.D. autumn to A.D. autumn. Very striking is the impatience which the apostle manifests in overhearing as it were the eager discussions occupying the attention of these foolish Galatian Judaizers. Their interest, he perceived, was absorbed by matters which were properly for them things of no concern at all, but which, with ostentatious zeal as such persons do, they were <span class="accented">making</span> their concern. The cause of their doing so lay, we may believe, in the feeling which was growing up in their minds that such like outward observances would of themselves make their life acceptable to God; this general sentiment habiting itself, in the choice of the particular form of outward ceremonies to be adopted, in the observance of the celebrations given by God to his people for the season of their nonage. The principle itself was no doubt repugnant to the apostle's mind, even apart from the Judaizing form which it was assuming, and which threatened a defection from Christ. Curious regard to such matters he evidently on its own account regards with scorn and impatience. But therewith also the old venerable religion, localized at Jerusalem as its chief seat, would under the impulse of such sentiments be sure to perilously attract their minds away from the "reformation" (<span class="greek">διόρθωσις</span>, <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a>) to which it had now been subjected; and they were in danger of losing, nay, had in great degree at least already lost, the zest which they once had fell in embracing the exceeding great and precious gifts which Christ had brought to them. What was there here but the "evil heart of unbelief" spoken of in <a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12</a>, "in departing from the living God," now manifesting himself to his people in his Son? It is this animus characterizing the behaviour of the Galatian Churchmen which marks its essential difference as compared with that observance of "days" and "meats" which in <a href="/romans/14.htm">Romans 14</a>. the apostle treats as a matter, relative to which Christians were to live in mutual tolerance. As long as a Christian continued to feel his relation to the Lord Jesus (<a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Romans 14:6-9</a>), it mattered not much if he thought it desirable to observe the Jewish sabbath or to abstain from eating animal food. He might, indeed, make himself thereby chargeable with spiritual unwisdom; the apostle clearly thought he would; but if he still held fast by Christ as the sole and all-sufficing Source to him of righteousness before God and of spiritual life, he was to be received and welcomed as a brother, without being vexed by interference with these foolish tenets of his. It became different when his care for such really indifferent externals took his heart away from a satisfied adherence to the Lord; then his ceremonialism or asceticism became rank and even fatal heresy. And this was what the apostle was fearing on behalf of his once so greatly cherished disciples in Galatia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">You are observing</span><br /><span class="grk">παρατηρεῖσθε</span> <span class="translit">(paratēreisthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3906.htm">Strong's 3906: </a> </span><span class="str2">To watch, observe scrupulously. From para and tereo; to inspect alongside, i.e. Note insidiously or scrupulously.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[special] days</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμέρας</span> <span class="translit">(hēmeras)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">months</span><br /><span class="grk">μῆνας</span> <span class="translit">(mēnas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3376.htm">Strong's 3376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">seasons</span><br /><span class="grk">καιροὺς</span> <span class="translit">(kairous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2540.htm">Strong's 2540: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">years!</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐνιαυτούς</span> <span class="translit">(eniautous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1763.htm">Strong's 1763: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/4-10.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:10 You observe days months seasons and years (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/4-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 4:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>