# General Information:

The word "we" here refers to all Christians, including Paul's readers. 

# when we were children

Here "children" represents people who are spiritually immature. Alternate translation: "when we were like children" 

# we were enslaved to the elemental principles of the world

Here being "enslaved" represents being unable to stop one's self from doing something. Alternate translation: "we were like slaves to the elemental principles of the world" or "we obeyed the elemental principles of the world as if we were slaves"

# the elemental principles of the world

These words could refer to 1) the laws or moral principles of the world, or 2) spirits who rule the world.