Word Study

In this particular passage, the key words are elementary principles, wisdom, appearance, revealed, glory, live, commandments, raised, set your minds, and hidden. The word, "elementary principles" would seem like it was pretty self-explanatory, but it has a wide range of meanings. There were no figures of speech or synonym usage, but quite a few conflicts in Scripture. In the NIV, it says "self imposed worship, their false humilty"; in the NASB it says "self made religion and self abasement". The NIV says, "Christ who is your life"; the NASB says "Christ who is our life." The NIV says "you also will appear with Him in glory" the NASB says, "you also will be revealed with Him in glory."

The Greek word for "elementary principles" is "stoicheion" (stoiceiwn). In the original Greek language, it could've meant: 1) the spoken letters of the alphabet and the fundamental principles or rudiments of any art, science, or discipline; 2) the basic components or constituents of the physical word; earth, fire, water, and air--the four basic elements; 3) not only the physical elements but also the spirits behind them: the elemental spirits; 4) reference to stars and heavenly bodies. Regarded as having spirits which affect the life and destiny of men.

The word, "element" is used only seven times in the NT: Gal. 4:3,9; Col. 2:8,20; He. 5:12; 2 Pet. 3:10,12. The various translations given to the word by the AV, the RV and the NEB show the need for careful study to determine the precise meaning intended. In Gal: "the elements of the world." RSV and NEB "the elemental spirits of the universe"; AV says, "the weak and beggarly elements" 1 Col. 2:8 "the rudiments of the world"; "the elemental spirits of the universe"; "the elemental spirits of the world" ("rudimentary notions") "Elementary principles is found in a few extra Biblical materials such as, an Aristotle poet, Zeno & Plato, Jusi & Tryph, and in Euclid's mathematical work.

I think Paul was using the word to bean the basic principles of a discipline. The words that follow confirm this. He says, "If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to its decrees? Such as..". The religion he was talking about was a "self-made religion" which was ultimately empty. If we have died with Christ, we've died to the rudimentary, elementary-level, basic principles of this world. We're no longer bound by it's kindergarten-level rules and regulations. The word sophia is also used in this passage