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Galatians 4

Gal. 4:3 KJV (With Strong’s)

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3
Even
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
so
houto (Greek #3779)
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
KJV usage: after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
Pronounce: hoo'-to
Origin: οὕτως (hoo'-toce) adverb from 3778
we
hemeis (Greek #2249)
we (only used when emphatic)
KJV usage: us, we (ourselves).
Pronounce: hay-mice'
Origin: nominative plural of 1473
, when
hote (Greek #3753)
at which (thing) too, i.e. when
KJV usage: after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.
Pronounce: hot'-eh
Origin: from 3739 and 5037
we were
eimi (Greek #1510)
a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic)
KJV usage: am, have been, X it is I, was. See also 1488, 1498, 1511, 1527, 2258, 2071, 2070, 2075, 2076, 2771, 2468, 5600.
Pronounce: i-mee'
Origin: the first person singular present indicative
children
nepios (Greek #3516)
not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian
KJV usage: babe, child (+ -ish).
Pronounce: nay'-pee-os
Origin: from an obsolete particle νή- (implying negation) and 2031
, were
eimi (Greek #1510)
a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic)
KJV usage: am, have been, X it is I, was. See also 1488, 1498, 1511, 1527, 2258, 2071, 2070, 2075, 2076, 2771, 2468, 5600.
Pronounce: i-mee'
Origin: the first person singular present indicative
in bondage
douloo (Greek #1402)
to enslave (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: bring into (be under) bondage, X given, become (make) servant.
Pronounce: doo-lo'-o
Origin: from 1401
under
hupo (Greek #5259)
under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at))
KJV usage: among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
Pronounce: hoop-o'
Origin: a primary preposition
the δelements
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
stoicheion (Greek #4747)
something orderly in arrangement, i.e. (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)
KJV usage: element, principle, rudiment.
Pronounce: stoy-khi'-on
Origin: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4748
of the world
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kosmos (Greek #2889)
orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
KJV usage: adorning, world.
Pronounce: kos'-mos
Origin: probably from the base of 2865
:
δ
or, rudiments,
Col. 2:8,20• 8Beware 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.
 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Col. 2:8,20)
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More on:

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Bondage,
Elements,
The World

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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when.
Gal. 3:19,24‑25• 19Wherefore 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.
 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal. 3:19,24‑25)
in.
Gal. 4:9,25,31• 9But 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?
 25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
 31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Gal. 4:9,25,31)
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Gal. 2:4• 4And 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: (Gal. 2:4)
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Gal. 3:23• 23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (Gal. 3:23)
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Gal. 5:1• 1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1)
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Matt. 11:28• 28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)
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John 8:31• 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (John 8:31)
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Acts 15:10• 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (Acts 15:10)
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Rom. 8:15• 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Rom. 8:15)
elements.
or, rudiments.
Gal. 4:9• 9But 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? (Gal. 4:9)
;
Col. 2:8,20• 8Beware 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.
 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Col. 2:8,20)
;
Heb. 7:16• 16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Heb. 7:16)
• Principles that appertained to the system of the present world, which is but a corrupt and fallen creation. (“Galatians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• believers under law are held in a spirit of bondage under principles which mark the world. Every natural man can understand a law which tells him what he is to do and not to do, and that his blessing depends upon obedience to the law. It is a principle on which the world seeks to regulate all its affairs. It is, however, bondage to the believer; for while binding him down to obey in order to obtain blessing, it gives him no strength to carry out the demands of law. Moreover, it gives no knowledge of the heart of the Father, nor access to the Father—the source of all blessing. (“Galatians 4” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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3
So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world;

W. Kelly Translation

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3
So also we, when we were infants, were held in bondage under the principles of the world;