Galatians 4:3

3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world.

Galatians 4:3 in Other Translations

KJV
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
ESV
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
NLT
3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.
MSG
3 That is the way it is with us: When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives.
CSB
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world.

Galatians 4:3 In-Context

1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.
2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver 8,9,24,25; Galatians 2:4
  • 2. Colossians 2:8,20

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "under the basic principles"
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