Primary Scripture
Galatians 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Plain explanation
Paul is warning against returning to pagan observances, not against YAHUAH's appointed times.
Common assumption
Days, months, times, and years means Sabbath and appointed times are bondage.
Scripture-defined meaning
Galatians 4:10 must be read with the Galatians' former pagan bondage in view. Paul is not condemning YAHUAH's appointed times as weak; he is warning against returning to enslaving elemental observances.
Confirming witnesses
- Immediate explanation: Galatians 4:8-9,11
The observed times are linked to the Galatians' return toward their former pagan bondage. - Lexical usage: Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Torah uses observing-times language for forbidden pagan divination, providing a closer category than YAHUAH's appointed feasts. - Prophetic purpose: Jeremiah 10:2
The prophet warns against learning the signs and ways of the nations. - Apostolic confirmation: Colossians 2:8,20-22
Paul elsewhere associates worldly elements with human tradition and commandments of men.
Takeaway
Pagan timekeeping is not the same as YAHUAH's appointed times.
Context reflection
Where has Paul's warning against pagan bondage been aimed at YAHUAH's calendar?