4:1 Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, 3 is no different from a slave, though he is the owner 4 of everything.
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.
3 tn Grk “a small child.” The Greek term νήπιος (nhpios) refers to a young child, no longer a helpless infant but probably not more than three or four years old (L&N 9.43). The point in context, though, is that this child is too young to take any responsibility for the management of his assets.
4 tn Grk “master” or “lord” (κύριος, kurios).