Galatians 4:3

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

1Let me explain further. As long as an heir is a child, he is no better off than a slave, even though he owns everything. 2He is placed under the control of guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. It was the same way with us. When we were children, we were slaves to the principles of this world. 4But when the right time came, God sent his Son ⌞into the world⌟. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of the laws given to Moses. 5God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children.

Galatians 4:3 word by word

οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ὅτε ἦμεν νήπιοι, ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἤμεθα δεδουλωμένοι·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Evenκαίkai · andG2532
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
• we wereεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• childrenνήπιοςnēpios · childG3516
• in bondageδουλόωdouloō · to enslaveG1402
• underὑπόhupo · by/under: underG5259
• the elementsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the elementsστοιχεῖονstoicheion · principleG4747
• of the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889

Cross-references for Galatians 4:3

• Galatians 3:19What, then, is the purpose of the laws given to Moses? They were added to identify what wrongdoing is. Moses’ laws did this until the descendant to whom the promise was given came. It was put into effect through angels, using a mediator.
• Galatians 4:9But now you know God, or rather, God knows you. So how can you turn back again to the powerless and bankrupt principles of this world? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?
• Galatians 2:4False Christians were brought in. They slipped in as spies to learn about the freedom Christ Jesus gives us. They hoped to find a way to control us.
• Galatians 3:23We were kept under control by Moses’ laws until this faith came. We were under their control until this faith which was about to come would be revealed.
• Galatians 5:1Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm ⌞in this freedom⌟, and don’t become slaves again.
• Matthew 11:28“Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
• John 8:31So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples.
• Acts 15:10So why are you testing God? You’re putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry.
• Romans 8:15You haven’t received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God’s adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!”
• Colossians 2:8Be careful not to let anyone rob you ⌞of this faith⌟ through a shallow and misleading philosophy. Such a person follows human traditions and the world’s way of doing things rather than following Christ.
• Hebrews 7:16That person is a priest, not because he met human requirements, but because he has power that comes from a life that cannot be destroyed.

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

• Doubt
• Elements
• Flesh
• Observe
• Zealously
• Adoption
• Babe
• Bondage
• Element; Elements
• Galatians, Epistle to the

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