“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:”
So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. — Paul applies the metaphor to humanity under Torah: our pre-Christian condition was slavery ('douleia') to the 'stoicheia tou kosmou' (basic principles/elemental forces of the world), a mysterious phrase suggesting cosmic powers, demonic forces, or the elemental structure of existence before Christ.
Church Fathers on Galatians 4:3
The word “child” in this place denotes not age but understanding; meaning that God had from the beginning designed for us these gifts, but, as we yet continued childish, He let us be under the elements of the world, that is, new moons and sabbaths, for these days are regulated by the course of sun and moon. If then also now they bring you under law they do nothing else but lead you backward now in the time of your perfect age and maturity. And see what is the consequence of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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