New American Standard Bible 1995
Galatians 4:3
3So also we, while we were children, were held 1in bondage under the 23elemental things 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
1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as 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 3:19Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
- Galatians 4:9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
- Galatians 2:4But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
- Galatians 3:23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
- Galatians 5:1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
- Matthew 11:28“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
- John 8:31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
- Acts 15:10Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
- Romans 8:15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
- Colossians 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
- Hebrews 7:16who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible 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
Notes
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
New American Standard Bible 1995 — © 1960–1995 The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Commentaries