'Elements of the World' in the Bible

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

See that there be no one who shall lead you away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

If ye have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why as if alive in the world do ye subject yourselves to ordinances?