Galatians 4:3

NETBible

So also we, when we were minors, 1  were enslaved under the basic forces 2  of the world.

NIV ©

So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.

NASB ©

So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

NLT ©

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world.

MSG ©

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.

BBE ©

So we, when we were young, were kept under the first rules of the world;

NRSV ©

So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world.

NKJV ©

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

KJV
Even
<2532>
so
<3779>
we
<2249>_,
when
<3753>
we were
<2258> (5713)
children
<3516>_,
were
<2258> (5713)
in bondage
<1402> (5772)
under
<5259>
the elements
<4747>
of the world
<2889>_:
{elements: or, rudiments}
NASB ©
So
<3779>
also
<2532>
we, while
<3753>
we were children
<3516>
, were held
<1402>
in bondage
<1402>
under
<5259>
the elemental
<4747>
things
<4747>
of the world
<2889>
.
NET [draft] ITL
So
<3779>
also
<2532>
we
<2249>
, when
<3753>
we were
<1510>
minors
<3516>
, were
<1510>
enslaved
<1402>
under
<5259>
the basic forces
<4747>
of the world
<2889>
.
GREEK
outwv
<3779>
ADV
kai
<2532>
CONJ
hmeiv
<2249>
P-1NP
ote
<3753>
ADV
hmen
<1510> (5713)
V-IXI-1P
nhpioi
<3516>
A-NPM
upo
<5259>
PREP
ta
<3588>
T-APN
stoiceia
<4747>
N-APN
tou
<3588>
T-GSM
kosmou
<2889>
N-GSM
hmeya
<1510> (5713)
V-IXI-1P
dedoulwmenoi
<1402> (5772)
V-RPP-NPM
NETBible

So also we, when we were minors, 1  were enslaved under the basic forces 2  of the world.

NET Notes

1 tn See the note on the word “minor” in 4:1.

2 tn Or “basic principles,” “elemental things,” or “elemental spirits.” Some interpreters take this as a reference to supernatural powers who controlled nature and/or human fate.