In Galatians 4:9-10, Paul expresses his frustration with the Galatians for returning to certain religious practices, which He calls weak and beggarly elements, warning them that they were again in bondage to these practices. He defines these as observances of days, months, seasons, and years, rooted in their former pagan and idolatrous way of life. These elements, tied to demonic influences and the worship of pagan deities, represent the sinful practices from which God had called them out. Paul makes it clear that such weak and beggarly elements have no place in the lives of those who have come to know God, or rather, are known by Him. Instead, he urges the Galatians to abandon these heathen customs and festivals, which were part of their past before conversion, and to remain steadfast in the true path God has set before them.

Paul warns the Colossians against a deceptive philosophy that he describes as vain deceit or empty deceit, which threatens to plunder their spiritual riches. He identifies this philosophy with the rudiments of the world, also called the elements or basic principles of the world, pointing to demonic powers as its source. These weak and beggarly elements promote false ideas that contradict the truth about God and His purpose for mankind, risking the faith, hope, and understanding of church members. Paul urges believers to stand firm against such empty doctrines that are not according to Christ, emphasizing that true knowledge and protection from these deceptions come only from the inspired Word of God.

In Galatians 4, Paul addresses the Gentile Christians who, having come to know God, were turning back to the weak and beggarly elements under which they were once in bondage. These elements of the world are not the law of God, which is a law of liberty, but rather refer to pagan practices and personal powers, such as demons, that they ignorantly worshipped before their conversion. Paul expresses alarm not because they were observing God's Sabbath or holy days, but because they were reverting to these former, powerless elements that could not enhance their relationship with Him. He could not conceive of calling God's law weak and beggarly, especially knowing that both He and His Savior kept the Sabbath and holy days. Instead, Paul warns against returning to spiritual bondage, urging them to resist the pull of these deceptive influences and to remain within the truth of God, fighting against the principalities and powers that seek to draw them back into their past ways.