used in the plural, primarily signifies any first things from which others in a series, or a composite whole, take their rise; the word denotes "an element, first principle" (from stoichos, "a row, rank, series;" cp. the verb stoicheo, "to walk or march in rank;" see WALK); it was used of the letters of the alphabet, as elements of speech. In the NT it is used of (a) the substance of the material world, 2Pe 3:10, 2Pe 3:12; (b) the delusive speculations of gentile cults and of Jewish theories, treated as elementary principles, "the rudiments of the world," Col 2:8, spoken of as "philosophy and vain deceit;" these were presented as superior to faith in Christ; at Colosse the worship of angels, mentioned in Col 2:18, is explicable by the supposition, held by both Jews and Gentiles in that district, that the constellations were either themselves animated heavenly beings, or were governed by them; (c) the rudimentary principles of religion, Jewish or Gentile, also described as "the rudiments of the world," Col 2:20, and as "weak and beggarly rudiments," Gal 4:3, Gal 4:9, RV, constituting a yoke of bondage; (d) the "elementary" principles (the A.B.C.) of the OT, as a revelation from God, Heb 5:12, RV, "rudiments," lit., "the rudiments of the beginning of the oracles of God," such as are taught to spiritual babes. See PRINCIPLES, RUDIMENTS.
Ampiaw
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