The Elements of This World
Galatians 4:3
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:


The law was so called.

I. IN RESPECT OF THE FULLER AND COMPLETE DOCTRINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

II. Because JEWRY WAS A LITTLE SCHOOL set up in a corner of the world and THE LAW AN A.B.C. OR PRIMER in which Christ was revealed in an elementary and obscure manner. Thus we see —

1. That God's ancient people were heirs as well as we: the only difference is the manner which God used in dispensing His blessings.

2. That they were but children in respect of us;

(1)  as regards the Mosaic regimen: they were kept subject to more laws than we;

(2)  as regards revelation: God has revealed more to us than to them (Luke 10:24; Hebrews 1:1-2).

3. That we should increase in the knowledge and grace of God so as to be answerable to our condition. How sad that a Christian who should be a teacher is often a babe (Hebrews 5:12).

4. That we should rejoice in and live conformably to our privilege as sons.

(W. Perkins.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

WEB: So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.




Children Cannot have Presented to Them Pure Intellectual Conceptions
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