The Elements of the World

The elements of the world, principalities, powers, and spiritual hosts of wickedness were the law of Moses and its rulers.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalites, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This is Paul encouraging 1st century believers not to turn back to the law.

NKJV
Galatians 4:3-5, 9
3 Even so we, WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, WERE IN BONDAGE UNDER THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 TO REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE UNDER THE LAW, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to THE WEAK AND BEGGARLY ELEMENTS, TO WHICH YOU DESIRE TO BE IN BONDAGE?

Colossians 2:8,14-15, 20-21
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION OF MEN, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

14 having wiped out the HANDWRITING OF REQUIREMENTS that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

20Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, WHY, AS THOUGH LIVING IN THE WORLD, DO YOU SUBJECT YOURSELVES TO REGULATIONS-21 “DO NOT TOUCH, DO NOT TASTE, DO NOT HANDLE,”

Here’s how the NIV reads

Galatians 4:3,9
3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the ELEMENTAL SPIRITUAL FORCES OF THE WORLD.

9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those WEAK AND MISERABLE FORCES? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Colossians 2:8, 20 NIV
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on HUMAN TRADITION and the ELEMENTAL SPIRITUAL FORCES OF THIS WORLD rather than on Christ.

NIV
20 Since you died with Christ to the ELEMENTAL SPIRITUAL FORCES OF THIS WORLD, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL in the heavenly realms.