Bible Dictionary
Elements
In Scripture, “elements” can mean the basic constituents of creation or the elementary principles of religious instruction. In Galatians and Colossians, the expression refers to rudimentary and inadequate religious observances apart from the fullness found in Christ.
Definition
In Scripture, “elements” can mean the basic constituents of things or the first principles of instruction. It may refer to the constituents of creation, or to rudimentary religious teaching that is weak and inadequate compared with the gospel.
Biblical Usage
In 2 Peter the elements are described as being dissolved. In Galatians and Colossians, the elements of the world refer to elementary religious observances and types associated with the former state of religious knowledge before Christ.
Historical Background
These religious elements are called weak and beggarly because they are insufficient and are not accompanied by the spiritual gifts and graces associated with the gospel.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.