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“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” «There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. », (Galatians 3:28, ESV). This translation, along with the NASB, KJV, and NKJV, uses the phrase “Jew nor Greek.” The NIV translates it less literally as “Jew nor Gentile.” Either way, this verse conveys a wonderful message about the unity we share in Christ.
During New Testament times, Greek culture held dominance in the Roman Empire, of which Israel was a part, leading to a clear distinction between Jews and Greeks. (The term Greeks could encompass those who adhered to Greek cultural practices, regardless of their ethnic background. In present times, there are many non-Jews who neither identify as Greeks nor follow Greek customs, making the term Gentile a more fitting interpretation of the passage.) The Jews were considered God’s chosen people, while the Greeks/Gentiles were not.
In addition to Jew and Greek, Galatians 3:28 presents two other contrasting pairs: male and female, and slave or free. When Paul asserts that “there is neither Jew nor Greek,” male nor female, or slave nor free, it is evident that he is not speaking in a literal sense, as all these categories of individuals existed in Paul’s era and continue to exist today (despite modern gender fluidity discussions). Paul is emphasizing that, in Christ, these distinctions are insignificant. It is crucial to note that this does not imply a complete eradication of these differences, as some may interpret it, since the New Testament provides guidance on the distinct roles of men and women, as well as the appropriate conduct for slaves and masters, including Christian slaves and Christian masters.In masters (see Ephesians 5:21—6:9 and Colossians 3:18—4:1; for example). However, within the context of the discussion of Galatians 3, these differences do not matter. When these differences are taken outside the context of Galatians 3, they might matter a great deal. Galatians 3:28 cannot be quoted in isolation to “prove” that there are or should be no differences.
For example, if a family is attending an amusement park, they may encounter different prices for different people: kids, teenagers, adults, teachers, students, senior citizens, military veterans, etc. However, on Tuesday everyone is admitted for the same low price. So, if the family approaches the ticket window on a Tuesday, and Grandma says to the ticket agent, “Don’t forget, I am a senior citizen,” the ticket agent might respond, “It doesn’t matter.” He is not attempting to be rude or say that all of the life experience that Grandma has accumulated is worthless. Nor is he saying that the aches and pains of age will not affect her today. What he is saying is that, within the context of the issue at hand—ticket prices—the fact that she is a senior citizen (or that Dad is a veteran or that Junior is a college student) does not matter; that is, those facts, as important as they may be in other contexts, simply do not affect the ticket prices on Tuesday. The distinctions do not matter.
Galatians 3:26–29 gives the fuller context: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
The specific consideration is the identity of Abraham’s offspring, those who areChildren of God are eligible to inherit the promises God made to Abraham. It might seem that Jews were Abraham’s descendants and therefore the sole ones entitled to receive God’s promises. However, Paul states that in Christ, Greeks or Gentiles can also become Abraham’s children and heirs. Traditionally, men were viewed as heirs, as women typically did not inherit property in that society. Similarly, only free individuals were considered heirs, as slaves did not inherit—they were passed down as part of an inheritance. Nevertheless, Paul affirms that in Christ, slaves, women, and Greeks can all inherit the promises of God.
In Christ, one’s ethnic background, gender, or social status are irrelevant. If you are in Christ, you are among God’s chosen people and are poised to inherit all that God has pledged. Solely through Christ can one inherit God’s kingdom, as stated in John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” While ethnic, gender, and social distinctions may still hold significance in other contexts, they do not impact one’s status as a child of God through faith in Christ.
