Stoicheion denotes worldly principles that can enslave people, basic instruction, and elements dissolved in the final day.

Most occurrences place the plural term in clauses about “elemental principles of the world,” associated with enslavement, human tradition, and regulations; it also occurs for principles needing to be taught at the beginning and for elements affected by burning and heat.

1. Worldly principles under which people are bound · dominant

   In Galatians 4:3, the accusative plural occurs in the statement that people were enslaved under these things while they were children; Galatians 4:9 describes a return to weak and poor ones and renewed enslavement. In Colossians 2:8 the APB renders the surrounding clause with human tradition and “elemental principles of the world,” while Colossians 2:20 places the genitive plural in the statement about dying to them and submitting to regulations.

   Galatians 4:3Galatians 4:9Colossians 2:8Colossians 2:20
2. Elements dissolved by the day of God · common

   In 2 Peter 3:10, the nominative plural is part of the description of the heavens passing away and the elements being dissolved by burning. In 2 Peter 3:12, the same form occurs where the heavens are dissolved by burning and the elements melt with heat.

   2 Peter 3:102 Peter 3:12
3. Beginning instruction in God’s oracles · occasional

   In Hebrews 5:12, the accusative plural occurs in the clause that the readers again need someone to teach them the principles of the beginning of the oracles of God; the verse contrasts this need with solid food.

   Hebrews 5:12

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term as “elemental principles” in Galatians and Colossians, “principles of the beginning” in Hebrews 5:12, and “elements” in 2 Peter. These are translation-level renderings of the surrounding clauses rather than definitions.