American Standard Version
Galatians 4:3
3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world:
Galatians 4:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
- New International Version (NIV)So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.
- English Standard Version (ESV)In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
Context of Galatians 4:3
1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: 4but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Read all of Galatians 4Galatians 4:3 word by word
οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ὅτε ἦμεν νήπιοι, ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἤμεθα δεδουλωμένοι·Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Galatians 4:3
- Galatians 3:19What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
- Galatians 4:9but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?
- Galatians 2:4and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
- Galatians 3:23But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
- Galatians 5:1For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
- Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- John 8:31Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
- Acts 15:10Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
- Romans 8:15For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- Colossians 2:8Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
- Hebrews 7:16who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:
Commentaries on Galatians 4:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Even so we - The whole Jewish people were in a state of nonage while under the law. The elements of the world - A mere Jewish phrase, הזה עולם יסודי yesodey olam hazzeh, "the principles of this world;" that is, the rudiments or principles of the Jewish religion. The apostle intimates that the law was not the science of salvation, it was only the elements or alphabet of it; and in the Gospel this alphabet is composed into a most glorious system of Divine…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Even so we - We who were Jews - for so I think the word here is to be limited, and not extended to the pagan, as Bloomfield supposes. The reasons for limiting it are: (1)That the pagans in no sense sustained such a relation to the Law and promises of Gad as is here supposed; (2)Such an interpretation would not be pertinent to the design of Paul. He is stating reasons why there should not be subjection to the laws of Moses, and his argument is, that that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3Before Christ came, God's people were like young heirs to a large estate (4:1–2). They would inherit a great fortune (see 4:5), but they were still under their guardian's care (3:23–25). The basic spiritual principles of this world likely refer to the laws that govern the world without Jesus. These principles were fully expressed in the law of Moses (3:23–24; compare 4:5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-311-7. The fact of God's sending His Son to redeem us who were under the law (Ga 4:4), and sending the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Ga 4:6), confirms the conclusion (Ga 3:29) that we are "heirs according to the promise." the heir--(Ga 3:29). It is not, as in earthly inheritances, the death of the father, but our Father's sovereign will simply that makes us heirs. child--Greek, "one under age." differeth nothing, &c.--that is, has no more freedom than…Read the comment
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Galatians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries