There are several passages in the New Testament which speak of the “elements” or “rudiments” of the world. Paul says that those who are committed to observing them are in bondage. But Peter speaks of them as though referring to heavenly bodies. So we need to know what this term means.
There are four verses where the Greek word στοιχεῖον (stoicheion) is translated as “elements” in the King James Bible: Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world... But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (Galatians 4:3,9,10)
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)
There are two verses in which the same Greek word is translated as “rudiments”: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ... Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances: touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:8,16-21)
By taking all these passages together and connecting them, what do we learn?
1. That the elements of the world include ceremonial observances based upon the movements of heavenly bodies -- days, months, times, years. These are supposed to be “holy days” and “holy seasons”.
2. That this connects what Peter says about the elements which will “melt with fervent heat”. The heavenly bodies will all disappear someday prior to the establishment of the New Heavens and the New Earth.
3. That these observances are “weak” and “beggarly” which means that they have little or no spiritual significance. Indeed they are “fleshly” or carnal.
4. That these observances are based upon the traditions, or the commandments and doctrines of men. This is not what Christ commands, but what traditions demand.
5. Since angels are connected to stars, this also includes the worshipping of angels (which would also include praying to angels).
6. That these observances include dietary restrictions -- touch not, taste not, handle not, all associated with meats and drinks.
7. That these observances include asceticism -- will worship, false humility, and the neglecting of the body.
All religions which are outside of biblical Christianity (including False Christianity) focus on the weak and beggarly elements. And all of this means that a religion which focuses on outward observances in order to be accepted by God has little or no value.
First of all God wants us to have Christ as the focus of our lives -- to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. God wants to see a repentant and transformed life, which is totally surrendered to His will and His commandments (also to Christ’s will and His commandments), and which deals with the inner man. Thus Christians are commanded to “walk in the Spirit” and be led by the Spirit, and practice the Law of Christ by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Hence the absolute necessity of the New Birth.
There are four verses where the Greek word στοιχεῖον (stoicheion) is translated as “elements” in the King James Bible: Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world... But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (Galatians 4:3,9,10)
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)
There are two verses in which the same Greek word is translated as “rudiments”: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ... Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances: touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:8,16-21)
By taking all these passages together and connecting them, what do we learn?
1. That the elements of the world include ceremonial observances based upon the movements of heavenly bodies -- days, months, times, years. These are supposed to be “holy days” and “holy seasons”.
2. That this connects what Peter says about the elements which will “melt with fervent heat”. The heavenly bodies will all disappear someday prior to the establishment of the New Heavens and the New Earth.
3. That these observances are “weak” and “beggarly” which means that they have little or no spiritual significance. Indeed they are “fleshly” or carnal.
4. That these observances are based upon the traditions, or the commandments and doctrines of men. This is not what Christ commands, but what traditions demand.
5. Since angels are connected to stars, this also includes the worshipping of angels (which would also include praying to angels).
6. That these observances include dietary restrictions -- touch not, taste not, handle not, all associated with meats and drinks.
7. That these observances include asceticism -- will worship, false humility, and the neglecting of the body.
All religions which are outside of biblical Christianity (including False Christianity) focus on the weak and beggarly elements. And all of this means that a religion which focuses on outward observances in order to be accepted by God has little or no value.
First of all God wants us to have Christ as the focus of our lives -- to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. God wants to see a repentant and transformed life, which is totally surrendered to His will and His commandments (also to Christ’s will and His commandments), and which deals with the inner man. Thus Christians are commanded to “walk in the Spirit” and be led by the Spirit, and practice the Law of Christ by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Hence the absolute necessity of the New Birth.
