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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• 8See that there shall be no one that leadeth you a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.
 20If ye died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as alive in [the] world, do ye subject yourselves 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• 19Why then the law? For the sake of transgressions it was added, until the seed came to whom the promise was made, being ordained by means of angels in a mediator's hand.
 24So that the law hath been our tutor unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
 25But faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor; (Gal. 3:19,24‑25)
in.
Gal. 4:9,25,31• 9but now having known God, yea rather being known by God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye wish again afresh to be in bondage?
 25For Agar is Mount Sina in Arabia, but correspondeth with the existing Jerusalem, for she is in bondage with her children.
 31Therefore, brethren, we are not children of a maidservant, but of the freewoman. (Gal. 4:9,25,31)
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Gal. 2:4• 4and [this] on account of the false brethren brought in stealthily, who came in stealthily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring into bondage, (Gal. 2:4)
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Gal. 3:23• 23But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up unto the faith about to be revealed. (Gal. 3:23)
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Gal. 5:1• 1Stand fast in the freedom with which Christ hath freed us, and be not again held in a yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1)
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Matt. 11:28• 28{i}Come to me, all ye who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.{/i} (Matt. 11:28)
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John 8:31• 31Jesus therefore said to the Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, ye are truly my disciples; (John 8:31)
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Acts 15:10• 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke on 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 received not a spirit of bondage again unto fear, but ye received a Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father. (Rom. 8:15)
elements.
or, rudiments.
Gal. 4:9• 9but now having known God, yea rather being known by God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye wish again afresh to be in bondage? (Gal. 4:9)
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Col. 2:8,20• 8See that there shall be no one that leadeth you a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.
 20If ye died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as alive in [the] world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances? (Col. 2:8,20)
;
Heb. 7:16• 16who hath been made not according to law of fleshly commandment but according to power of indissoluble 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;