Galatians 4:3

4:3 So also we, when we were minors, ¹  were enslaved under the basic forces ²  of the world.

Galatians 4:9

4:9 But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless ³  basic forces? ⁴  Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ⁵ 

Galatians 4:24-25

4:24 These things may be treated as an allegory, ⁶  for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. 4:25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

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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 Or “useless.” See L&N 65.16.

⁴ tn See the note on the phrase “basic forces” in 4:3.

⁵ tn Grk “basic forces, to which you want to be enslaved…” Verse 9 is a single sentence in the Greek text, but has been divided into two in the translation because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence.

⁶ tn Grk “which things are spoken about allegorically.” Paul is not saying the OT account is an allegory, but rather that he is constructing an allegory based on the OT account.