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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 4:3 So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/48_Gal_04_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:3 - Sons and Heirs" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/4-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/4-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" 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="/ad3.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/4-2.htm" title="Galatians 4:2">◄</a> Galatians 4:3 <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm" title="Galatians 4:4">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a> So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> So also, we when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world. <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So we too, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world. <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the elemental things of the world. <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So also we [whether Jews or Gentiles], when we were children (spiritually immature), were kept like slaves under the elementary [man-made religious or philosophical] teachings of the world. <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements of the world. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> It was the same way with us. When we were children, we were slaves to the principles of this world. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> In the same way, we too were slaves of the ruling spirits of the universe before we reached spiritual maturity. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> It was the same way with us. While we were children, we were slaves to the basic principles of the world. <a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world. <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So we also, when spiritually we were children, were subject to the world's rudimentary notions, and were enslaved. <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> so we also, when we were children, were in servitude under the elements of the world, <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> So also, we when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world. <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> so also we, when we were babes, under the elements of the world were in servitude, <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> So also we, when we were children, were subjugated under the world's elements:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So also we, when we were children, were subservient to the influences of the world. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> In the same way we also, when we were not of age, were enslaved to the elemental powers of the world. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Even so we, when we were young, were subject to the principles of this world: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> In this way also when we were children, we were enslaved under the principles of the world.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> So, also, we, when we were minors, were in bondage under the rudiments of the world. <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> So also we, when we were infants, were enslaved under the elements of the world: <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> So we also, when we were infants, were in bondage under the first elementary principles of the world: <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> even so we, whilst we were children, were in a state of servitude to the elements of the world, but when the time appointed was accomplished, <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So we also, when spiritually we were children, were subject to the world's rudimentary notions, and were enslaved. <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements of the world. <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> So we when we were children, were in servitude under the elements of the world: <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=720" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Sons and Heirs</a> …2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. 3<a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">So</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also,</a> <a href="/greek/3753.htm" title="3753: hote (Adv) -- When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.">when</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēmen (V-IIA-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">we were</a> <a href="/greek/3516.htm" title="3516: nēpioi (Adj-NMP) -- From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.">children,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmeis (PPro-N1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">we</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēmetha (V-IIM-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">were</a> <a href="/greek/1402.htm" title="1402: dedoulōmenoi (V-RPM/P-NMP) -- To enslave. From doulos; to enslave.">enslaved</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">under</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4747.htm" title="4747: stoicheia (N-ANP) -- Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of stoicheo; something orderly in arrangement, i.e. a serial constituent, proposition.">basic principles</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world.</a> 4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a> See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20</a> If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a> For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Ephesians 2:2</a> in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Ephesians 4:14</a> Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a> Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1-3</a> Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. / I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, / for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12-14</a> Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14</a> As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Romans 6:19</a> I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Romans 7:5</a> For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">1 Corinthians 13:11</a> When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. <a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a> Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a> I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:when.<a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19,24,25</a> Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator… in.<a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9,25,31</a> 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? … <a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4</a> And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:<a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Galatians 3:23</a> But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.elements.<a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9</a> 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?<a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8,20</a> Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ… <a href="/hebrews/7-16.htm">Hebrews 7:16</a> Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Basic</a> <a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Bondage</a> <a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">Children</a> <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Elemental</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-12.htm">Elements</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">Enslaved</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-14.htm">First</a> <a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Held</a> <a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/job/15-2.htm">Notions</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-2.htm">Principles</a> <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Rudimentary</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Rudiments</a> <a href="/romans/8-21.htm">Servitude</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-5.htm">Slavery</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-20.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-3.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-37.htm">Spiritually</a> <a href="/galatians/4-2.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-28.htm">Universe</a> <a href="/galatians/3-22.htm">World</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">World's</a> <a href="/romans/2-20.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Basic</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Bondage</a> <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Elemental</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Elements</a> <a href="/titus/2-3.htm">Enslaved</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">First</a> <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Held</a> <a href="/galatians/5-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Notions</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Principles</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Rudimentary</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Rudiments</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Servitude</a> <a href="/galatians/4-24.htm">Slavery</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-2.htm">Spiritually</a> <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-23.htm">Universe</a> <a href="/galatians/6-14.htm">World</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-4.htm">World's</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div>1. <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> 5. <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a> 7. <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a> 22. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>So also, when we were children This phrase refers to a time of spiritual immaturity, drawing a parallel to the natural state of children who are under guardianship and not yet fully responsible for their own actions. In the context of Galatians, Paul is addressing the Galatian believers, many of whom were Gentiles, and comparing their previous state under the law to that of children. This reflects the broader biblical theme of spiritual growth and maturity, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">1 Corinthians 13:11</a>, where Paul speaks of putting away childish things as one matures in faith.we were enslaved The term "enslaved" indicates a lack of freedom and autonomy, suggesting that before coming to faith in Christ, individuals were in bondage. This bondage is not just a physical or social condition but a spiritual one. In the context of the letter to the Galatians, Paul is emphasizing the bondage of the law and the inability of the law to bring about true freedom. This echoes the broader biblical narrative of liberation from slavery, such as the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, which serves as a type of spiritual deliverance through Christ.under the basic principles of the world The "basic principles of the world" can be understood as the elementary spiritual forces or rudimentary religious practices that governed life before Christ. In the Greco-Roman world, this could refer to the pagan religious systems and philosophies that were prevalent. For Jewish believers, it could refer to the Mosaic Law, which, while given by God, was not the ultimate means of salvation. <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8 and 2</a>:20 also discuss these principles, warning against being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy. This phrase highlights the contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant in Christ, who fulfills and transcends these basic principles, offering true freedom and maturity in faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a> The recipients of the letter, the Galatians were a group of churches in the region of Galatia, which is in modern-day Turkey. They were struggling with the influence of Judaizers who insisted on adherence to Jewish law. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group within the early church that taught that Gentile converts to Christianity must adopt Jewish customs and laws, particularly circumcision, to be truly saved.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_slavery.htm">Understanding Spiritual Slavery</a> <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3</a> states, "So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world." The term "enslaved" (Greek: ) indicates a state of bondage. Before knowing Christ, we are bound by worldly principles and sin. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> The passage highlights the contrast between spiritual slavery and the freedom offered through Christ. Believers are called to live in the freedom of the Spirit, not under the constraints of the law or worldly systems. <a href="/topical/m/maturity_in_faith.htm">Maturity in Faith</a> Paul uses the metaphor of children to describe spiritual immaturity. As believers grow in faith, they should move beyond the elementary principles of the world and embrace the fullness of life in Christ. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_legalism.htm">Guarding Against Legalism</a> The Galatians were tempted to return to legalistic practices. This serves as a warning to modern believers to avoid substituting religious rituals for genuine faith and relationship with God. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_heirs.htm">Living as Heirs</a> Understanding our identity as heirs with Christ should transform how we live. We are no longer slaves but children of God, called to live in the inheritance of His promises.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) We.--That is, in the first instance, and specially, the Jews; but the Gentiles are also included. The Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the Christians: "all who are now Christians, whatever their antecedents." Before the coming of Christ both Jews and Gentiles had been subject to law; and what the Apostle says of the law of Moses applies more faintly to the law of conscience and of nature.Elements of the world.--The word translated "elements" is peculiar. The simpler word from whence it is derived means "a row." Hence the derivative is applied to the letters of the alphabet, because they were arranged in rows. Thus it came to mean the "elements" or "rudiments" of learning, and then" elements" of any kind. The older commentators on this passage, for the most part, took it in the special sense of "the elements of nature," "the heavenly bodies," either as the objects of Gentile worship or as marking the times of the Jewish festivals. There is, however, little doubt that the other sense is best: "the elements (or rudiments, as in the margin) of religious teaching." These are called "the elements of the world" because they were mundane and material; they included no clear recognition of spiritual things. The earlier forms of Gentile and even of Jewish religion were much bound up with the senses; the most important element in them was that of ritual. The same phrase, in the same sense, occurs twice in the Epistle to the Colossians (<a href="/colossians/2-8.htm" title=" Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.">Colossians 2:8</a>; <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm" title=" Why if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,">Colossians 2:20</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Even so we (οὕτω καὶ ἡμεῖς); so we also. This "we" represents the same persons as before in <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13, 24, 25</a> (see notes), namely, the people of God; a society preserving a continuous identity through successive stages of development, till now appearing as the Church of Christ. The plural pronoun recites, not individuals, but the community viewed as a whole, having the now subsisting "us" as its present representatives. Individually, Christians in general now, and many of those who then when the apostle wrote belonged to the Church, never were in the state of nonage or bondage here referred to. It is, however, notwithstanding this, quite supposable that St. Paul's account of the history of the whole society is in some degree tinted by the recollection of his own personal experiences. When we were children (ὅτε ῆμεν νήπιοι); that is, when we were in our nonage. The phrase is not meant to point to a state of immaturity in personal development, but simply to the period of our being withheld from the full possession of our inheritance. This is all that the course of thought now pursued requires; and we only create for ourselves superfluous embarrassment by carrying further the parallel between the figuring persons and the figured. The spiritual illumination enjoyed by the Christian Church, compared with that of the pre-Christian society, presents as great a contrast as that of a man's knowledge compared with a child's; but that is not the point here. Were in bondage under the elements (or, rudiments) of the world (ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου η΅μεν δεδουλωμένοι); were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world; or, were under the rudiments of the world brought into bond-service. This latter way of construing, separating η΅μεν from the participle δεδουλωμένοι to connect it with the words which precede, is recommended by the parallel, which the words, "were under the rudiments of the world," then present to the words," is under guardians and stewards," in ver. 2; while the participle "brought into bond-service" reproduces the notion expressed by the words, "is no better than a bond-servant," of ver. 1. The participle "brought into bond-service," then, stands apart, in the same way as the participle "shut up "does in <a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Galatians 3:23</a>. This, however, is only a question of style; the substantial elements of thought remain the same in either way of construing. The Greek word στοιχεῖα calls for a few remarks, founded upon the illustration of its use given by Schneider in his 'Greek Lexicon.' From the primary sense of "stakes placed in a row," for example, to fasten nets upon, the term was applied to the letters of the alphabet as placed in rows, and thence to the primary constituents of speech; then to the primary constituents of all objects in nature, as, for example, the four "elements" (see <a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10, 12</a> ); and to the "rudiments" or first "elements" of any branch of knowledge. It is in this last sense that it occurs in <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12</a>, "What are the (στοιχεῖα) rudiments (of the beginning, or) of the first principles of the oracles of God" (on which compare the passage from Galen quoted by Alford at the place). This must be the meaning of the word here; it recites the rudimental instruction of children, as if the apostle had said "under the A, B, C, of the world." This is evidently intended to describe the ceremonial Law; for in ver. 5 the phrase, "those under the Law," recites the same persons as are here described as "under the rudiments of the world;" as again the "weak and beggarly rudiments," in ver. 9, are surely the same sort of" rudiments" as are illustrated in ver. 10 by the words, "Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years." Since the Law under which the people of God were placed was God's own ordinance, we must infer that, when it is here designated as "the A, B, C, of the world," the genitive can neither denote the origin of these rudiments nor yet any qualification of moral pravity, but only the qualification of imperfection and inferiority; that is, it denotes the ceremonial institution s of the Law as appertaining to this earthly material sphere of existence, as contrasted with a higher spiritual sphere. Thus "the A, B, C, of the world" is an expression as nearly as possible identical with that of "carnal ordinances" (literally, ordinances of the flesh), used to describe the external ceremonialism of the Law in <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a>; which phrase, like the one before us, is used with a full recognition, in the word "ordinances" (δικαιώματα), of the Law as of Divine appointment, while the genitive "of the flesh" marks its comparative imperfection. They were, as Conybeare paraphrases, "their childhood's elementary lessons of outward things." This designation of Levitical ceremonies as being an "A, B, C," or "rudiments, of the world," appears to have become a set phrase with the apostle, who uses it again twice in the Colossians (<a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8, 20</a>), where he appears, if we may judge from the context, to have in view a (perhaps mongrel) form of Jewish ceremonialism which, with circumcision (mentioned in ver. 11), conjoined other "ordinances" (δόγματα) mentioned in vers. 14, 20, relating to meats and drinks and observance of times, illustrated in vers. 16, 21. This, he tells the Colossians, might have been all very well if they were still "living in the world" (ver. 20); but now they were risen with Christ! - with Christ, who had taken that "bond" (χειρόγραφον, ver. 14) out of the way; and therefore were called to care for higher things than such merely earthly ones as these. Some suppose that the apostle has reference to the religious ceremonialisms of the idolatrous Gentiles, as well as those of the Mosaic Law. These former ceremonialisms belonged, indeed, to "the world," both in the sense above pointed out and as tinged with the moral pravity characterizing the "present evil world" in general. But these cannot be here intended, forasmuch as it was not to such that God's people were by his ordinance subjected. The other rendering of στοιχεῖα - "elements" - which the Authorized Version puts into the text, but the Revised Version into the margin, was probably selected in deference to the view of most of the Fathers, who, as Meyer observes, took the Greek word in its physical sense: Augustine referring it to the heathen worship of the heavenly bodies and the other cults of nature; Chrysostom, Theodoret, and Ambrose to the new moons and sabbaths of the Jews, viewed as determined by the motions of the sun and moon; Jerome, however, interpreting it rudimenta discipliner. On the other hand, in <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8, 20</a>, both of our Versions have "rudiments" in the text and "elements" in the margin; in <a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10, 12</a>, "elements" only. "Brought into bend-service" (δεδουλωμένοι), namely, by the act of the supreme Father imposing upon us the yoke of his Law. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So οὕτως (houtōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). also, καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. when ὅτε (hote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3753.htm">Strong's 3753: </a> When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When. we were ἦμεν (ēmen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. children, νήπιοι (nēpioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3516.htm">Strong's 3516: </a> From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian. we ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. were ἤμεθα (ēmetha) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. enslaved δεδουλωμένοι (dedoulōmenoi) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1402.htm">Strong's 1402: </a> To enslave. From doulos; to enslave. under ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). the τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. basic principles στοιχεῖα (stoicheia) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4747.htm">Strong's 4747: </a> Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of stoicheo; something orderly in arrangement, i.e. a serial constituent, proposition. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world. κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:3 So we also when we were children (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:4" /></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>