Galatians 3:28
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Truth to Learn
God’s promises in Christ are offered freely to anyone, independent of national origin, gender, or status in life.
Behind the Words
“Jew nor Greek” is a literal translation of “ioudaios oude ellēn.” One might ask why Paul only mentions these two nations. Paul is writing from a Jewish perspective and in their thinking a person is either a Jew or not a Jew. After the conquest of Alexander the Great, the common Greek language became the language of the people. As
The word translated “slave” is “doulos” meaning one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another. There are other words in the Greek language for servants; “oiketēs” meaning a household servant and “misthōtos” meaning a hired servant. These had rights which a slave did not.
Meaning Explained
In verse 26 Paul declared that we are all sons (children) of God through faith in Christ Jesus. He now expands on that thought. Not only are we all children of God, but there is no distinction made with respect to salvation between Jews and Gentiles, between freeborn and slaves, or between the sexes.
Through the Law of Moses the Jews were declared to be a special people above all others:
Deuteronomy 7:6 6For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
A slave (doulos) had no rights and was considered the personal property of his master. A free man was independent and had the rights of ownership, citizenship, and inheritance. Within Jewish society men had many privileges over women. A woman could not inherit nor could she own slaves as her husband could.
In his normal morning prayer, a Jewish man thanked God that He had not made him a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. But in Christ Jesus these differences disappear, that is, as far as acceptance with God is concerned. In Christ a Jew is not preferred over a Gentile, a free man is not more favored than a slave, nor is a man more privileged than a woman. With respect to salvation, righteousness, and eternal life there is no distinction made based on one’s station in life. God offers his gift freely to all.
So What?
Christianity was the first religious system that put all people on an equal footing. All of us are sinners and, without Christ, are under God’s condemnation. Anyone who believes God’s promise and accepts Christ’s blood as the payment for his or her sins is declared righteous no matter what his or her lineage, position in society, or gender.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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