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What does Galatians 3: 28 mean?


Introduction. Our good question continues to ask, "especially 'there is neither male nor female...'"   The verse in its fullness reads, "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."

The context of Galatians 3: 28. Paul is discussing the law of Moses and Christ's system, the fulfillment of the law of Moses.  The blessings they, the Christians in the region of Galatia, were enjoying came through the hearing of faith, not the works of the law (vs. 2).  Christ had redeemed them from the curse of the law (vs. 13).  As Gentiles, they had the Abrahamic blessings through Jesus (vss. 13-14).  They had been baptized into Christ and had put on Christ (vs. 27).  In Christ, being a Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female did not matter, this is the paramount truth being enunciated.

Does Galatians 3: 28 teach there are no distinctions between the roles of men and women?  Some people use the statement "there is neither male nor female..." to teach and condone women elders, preachers, and wives who are equal in headship to their husbands.  Such is an abuse of the verse.  Men, not women, who qualify are to serve as elders (1 Tim. 3), women are not to be public proclaimers over men (1 Tim. 2: 11-15); and the husband is the head of the wife (Eph. 5: 22-23).  One does not so understand one verse to make it contradict another verse or verses.  Such a treatment is not "handling aright" the scriptures (2 Tim. 2: 15).

In Christ, gender does not determine or affect our blessings and salvation, just as whether we are Jew or Gentile.  In Christ, his body or church (Eph. 1: 22-23), all such distinctions have been removed!  However, the scriptures certainly distinguish between men and women - their roles and various peculiar duties.
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