elements Summary and Overview

In its primary sense, as denoting the first principles or constituents of things, it is used in 2 Pet. 3:10: "The elements shall be dissolved." In a secondary sense it denotes the first principles of any art or science. In this sense it is used in Gal. 4:3, 9; Col. 2:8, 20, where the expressions, "elements of the world," "week and beggarly elements," denote that state of religious knowledge existing among the Jews before the coming of Christ, the rudiments of religious teaching. They are "of the world," because they are made up of types which appeal to the senses. They are "weak," because insufficient; and "beggarly," or "poor," because they are dry and barren, not being accompanied by an outpouring of spiritual gifts and graces, as the gospel is.

EL'EMENTS , Gal 4:3. Gal 1:9. elsewhere rendered RU'DIMENTS, Col 2:8,Ruth 4:20, or the first principles of an art or science, is a term applied to the ceremonial ordinances of the Mosaic law, which were weak, and beggarly, inasmuch as they consisted very much in outward observances, Heb 9:1, and were of temporary and partial service, when compared with the disclosures of grace and mercy which they were designed to shadow forth. In the case of the Colossians, probably, these rudiments of the world embraced the doctrines of some vain and deceitful philosophy.

(Galatians 4:9): "weak and beggarly" rudiments; the elementary symbols of the law, powerless to justify, in contrast to the justifying power of faith (Galatians 3:24; Hebrews 7:18); beggarly, in contrast with the riches of the believer's inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:18). The child (Galatians 4:1-3) under the law is "weak," not having attained manhood. "beggarly," not having attained the inheritance.