Thanks again Harley. Sorry for taking so long to get back.
My Bible translates it, "how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles." Same thing, in essence! My question is......how could they turn back to something they had never known?
No where in this passage does he mention Sabbaths and I cannot find anywhere in scripture where God commanded us to observe any month. He does instruct us in Colossians to not pay any mind to those critical of our festivals, New Moons or Sabbaths. Col. 2:16
I know. I've been swamped myself. Must be something about October. :O)
Same thing, in essence! My question is......how could they turn back to something they had never known?
That is my whole point. Paul was looking upon the customs of the Jews and the Gentiles and saying there was no difference in them. For Paul, when he was saying "turn back" it was simply turning away from living by faith.
This goes back to the Romans 1-3 where Paul talks about the Jews having the Law and Gentiles having nature. The Jews could see God in the Law but couldn't live by the Law. The Gentiles OTOH while they might recognize God in nature through His creation never could give glory to God. Everyone has to come to God through faith in our Lord Jesus. There is none that does what is right. He is our righteousness.
For the Galatians they were "turning back" from faith by trying to satisfy God's requirements through other methods. It didn't matter if they were following the works of Zeus or works of the Law; or the holy days of either one. They were "turning back" from living by faith.