Weak elements

Paul expresses amazement that the Galatians could return to the “weak and poor elements” after being liberated by Christ (Galatians 4:9).

But were the elements always so weak and beggarly? It seems not. They were powerful enough to enslave (4:3). To be sure, they enslaved children, but that does take some power. Further, Paul describes the former life of the Galatians as a life under ( hupo ) the stoicheia , an expression that parallels Paul’s talk of enslavement under the law (3:23) and under guardians and managers (4:2). Again, this suggests that the stoicheia have some power.

Or, they did . God sent His Son and then His Spirit to redeem from the stoicheia and elevate us to sons (4:4-6). Paul is drawing on the exodus story, placing the stoicheia and the law in the position of defeated Pharaoh. Once Pharaoh was powerful; but after the plagues and the exodus he was “weak and beggarly.” So too the “elements.”

But this means, of course, that the elements exercised some genuine power prior to the missions of the Son and Spirit. Plutarch was right: Once the oracles spoke, but now, mysteriously, they’ve gone silent.