Galatians 4:3

¹ Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

² But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.
KJV: Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
WEB: So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
ASV: So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world:
DARBY: So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world;
BLB: So also we, when we were children, were enslaved under the elements of the world.

ÅB: Slik var også vi, dengang vi var barn, bundet i slaveri under verdens barnelærdom;
OTB: På samme måte var også vi, da vi var barn, i trelldom under verdens grunnleggende prinsipper.
B1930: Således var også vi, dengang vi var barn, trælbundet under verdens barnelærdom;

Colossians 2:20
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,
Read in context
Colossians 2:8
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.
Read in context
Galatians 4:9
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?
Read in context
Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Read in context
Galatians 4:31–5:1
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Read in context
Acts 15:10
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Read in context
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Read in context
John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Read in context