Does Galatians 4:9–11 relate to Sabbath observance?

The apostle Paul also refers to this subject in Romans 14. The Jewish people celebrated two distinct kinds of holy days: the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments, which existed before sin took hold on this planet (see Genesis 2), and the sabbath days, which were ceremonial holy days established after the fall. The commandment Sabbath was spoken by God’s voice; the other ceremonial sabbaths were spoken by Moses. The Fourth Commandment was written by God’s finger in stone; the other holy days were written on parchment by Moses.

When Jesus came, He fulfilled and “nailed to the cross” the ceremonial laws (see Colossians 2:14). He did not, however, wipe away the Ten Commandments. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). When we accept Christ, it doesn’t mean we have a license to lie, kill, and commit adultery. The Sabbath commandment is part of that same package.

When Paul wrote this passage, the Jewish converts to Christianity were telling the Galatians and the Romans to start observing all of the Jewish holy days—the Passover, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Trumpets, and so forth. Paul was saying, “You’re telling these people to observe the ceremonial shadows that pointed to Jesus. It doesn’t make sense to worship a shadow when the real thing has already come.” He wasn’t referring to the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments.

Some have tried to convince people that God was abolishing the one commandment that begins with the word “Remember.” It’s a weak argument. I’ve never heard a Sunday-keeping pastor stand up and say, “Don’t come to church on Sundays, or you’ll be observing days!”

Key Bible Texts

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (Galatians 4:9 KJV)