Galatians 3:28 is a profound and much-discussed verse that states, “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.” This verse has significant implications for understanding gender roles and identity from a biblical perspective.
To properly unpack the meaning of this passage, we must first put it into context. Galatians is one of Paul’s earliest letters, written to churches in Galatia that were struggling with legalism and notions that certain observances or works were required for justification. Throughout the letter, Paul aims to clarify that righteousness comes through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law.
In chapter 3, Paul specifically argues that the law was put in place to lead people to Christ by revealing their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:19-25). Now that Christ has come, believers are no longer under the supervision of the law. “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26).
Paul then transitions to explain the implications of this new reality in Christ. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). All those who are in Christ have taken on His identity. They are now completely identified with Him.
So in Christ, human-constructed categories and divisions no longer apply. “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” (Galatians 3:28). When people are baptized into Christ, they are clothed with His righteousness alone. Ethnic, economic, and gender differences fade away before the reality of oneness in Christ.
This verse does not deny that ethnic, economic, and gender differences exist. Paul recognizes these distinctions in his other writings. But the distinctions are not ultimate. Our primary identity is now in Christ. And Christ erases the inequalities, prejudices, and conflicts that often arise from human divisions.
So what are the key implications of this truth?
1. Equality in Christ
Galatians 3:28 strongly affirms the fundamental equality of all believers in Christ. Regardless of ethnicity, economic status, or sex, we are all equally justified before God on the basis of faith alone. Our standing before God does not depend on human distinctions but on being united to Christ by faith.
The radical notion of equality in Christ emerged from the early church’s understanding of baptism. In baptism, Christians are mystically united with Christ, dying to their old life and rising with Him to new life (Romans 6:3-4). This dying and rising in Christ levels the playing field for all believers. Whatever advantages or privileges someone may have had in the flesh, they are stripped away in baptism.
So while human society may be stratified in many ways, the church realizes an eschatological equality and mutuality in Christ. As Paul declares regarding economic differences, “For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). This oneness transcends earthly divisions.
2. Unity in diversity
While Galatians 3:28 emphasizes the equality of believers, it does not eliminate diversity. Paul still recognizes categories like Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female. Our ethnic, economic, and gender distinctions do not disappear. But they are no longer markers of spiritual advantage or disadvantage.
As one scholar notes, “Paul does not call for a gender-free, race-free world. Rather, he calls for recognizing that the divisions between men and women, Jew and Greek, slave and free must be relativized in light of the unity all have in Christ.”[1]
So Galatians 3:28 is not necessarily a call to erase all differences in the name of unity. Christ does not obliterate our diversity but redeems it. Diverse peoples come together in the church while still maintaining their distinctiveness. They are united without needing to become uniform.
This principle equips the church to champion both unity and diversity. We pursue Christ-centered unity, not uniformity. And we learn to affirm and celebrate our differences as creative expressions of the body of Christ.
3. Absolute worth before God
Galatians 3:28 also reminds us that worldly status indicators do not determine our worth before God. Christ secures this worth for us. And it is not achieved by anything we can do to earn it.
John Stott observes, “All believers without distinction…have an equal standing in grace before God…not because of any inherent qualities but because they belong to Christ.”[2] Our worth is based completely on being united to Him by faith.
This truth liberates us from seeking to validate ourselves through human accomplishments or attributes. We have absolute worth in Christ that cannot be added to or taken away from. Our old inferiorities and superiorities must give way to this new status as co-heirs in Christ (Romans 8:17).
4. A new way of relating
The radical egalitarian vision of Galatians 3:28 provides a new model for how believers should relate to one another in the body of Christ. If we are all equally justified by faith, then there is no place for discrimination, prejudice, or favoritism within the church.
Paul makes this application explicit regarding Jews and Greeks: “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). Old badges of honor and shame no longer apply.
Likewise, regarding slave and free, Paul urges Philemon to welcome back the runaway slave Onesimus “no longer as a bondservant but…as a beloved brother” in Christ (Philemon 16). A shared status in Christ recasts their relationship.
So a right understanding of Galatians 3:28 compels us to rethink how we view and relate to fellow believers different from ourselves. Are we perpetuating the divisions Paul condemns, either explicitly or subtly? Do we need to confess prejudice and reconsider imbalanced relationships in light of our oneness in Christ?
5. Implications for gender roles
The part of Galatians 3:28 most disputed and debated is Paul’s declaration that “there is no male and female.” Some complementarians believe this statement only applies to our shared spiritual status in Christ. But many egalitarians see it as abolishing gender hierarchy more comprehensively.
There is not space here to resolve this complex issue definitively. But we can highlight a few key considerations and implications of the text when it comes to gender:
- Men and women share the same spiritual status and blessings in Christ (1 Peter 3:7)
- Women deserve honor, respect, dignity, and affirmation in the church just like men
- Cultural prejudices against women should be overcome in light of new creation realities (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Husbands and wives mutually submit to one another in marriage out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21)
- Women as well as men are endowed with spiritual gifts for building up the body (1 Corinthians 12:7; Romans 12:6-8)
- Women played important roles in gospel ministry in the early church, laboring alongside men (Philippians 4:2-3; Romans 16:1-16)
In summary, Galatians 3:28 does not definitively resolve debates about women in all leadership roles in the church. But it does seem to break down assumptions of male superiority or privilege. And it calls us to greater mutual respect, honor, and partnership between men and women in Christ.
6. A sign of the gospel
This vision of equality, unity, and restored relationships in Christ is a beautiful sign of the power of the gospel. The church’s life together should reflect the reality that Christ has torn down every dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14). When believers live out the ideals of Galatians 3:28, it gives concrete expression to the good news of reconciliation in Christ.
John Stott writes, “The main way in which Christian ethnic and other communities demonstrate the power of the gospel is by embodying it in their corporate life. It is by their love for one another that they testify for Christ to an onlooking world.”[3]
Of course, we know the church often fails to live up to the vision of Galatians 3:28. But by God’s grace, may we keep pressing deeper into the reality of what Christ has accomplished. And may ethnic, economic, and gender reconciliation emerge in the church by the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.
Marveling at this vision of oneness in Christ, Charles Spurgeon proclaimed, “Distinctions have vanished: in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female; they are all one in Him.”[4] May this be increasingly true among God’s people to the glory of Christ.
7. Already but not yet
As we close, it’s important to remember that the vision of Galatians 3:28 is “already but not yet.” Through faith in Christ, we already participate in this new reality of oneness and equality. But it awaits ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns to establish the new creation.
So even as we celebrate present victory and transformation, we continue to cry out for the day when Christ will abolish every oppressive structure and system. Come, Lord Jesus! May Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Until that day arrives, may the church walk in the light of Galatians 3:28. May we be a signpost to the world of Christ’s power to create equality, unity, and flourishing community among all peoples. And may this vision move us forward as change agents proclaiming the “now” of the kingdom even as we await the “not yet.”
Conclusion
Galatians 3:28 encapsulates the beautiful vision of equality, reconciliation, and oneness in Christ made possible by the gospel. While debates continue about how comprehensively Paul intended to abolish human distinctions, this passage undoubtedly calls us to a higher vision of relating in the body of Christ.
May the truth that we are all one in Christ motivate us to pursue greater unity, celebrate diversity, honor all believers, rectify prejudices, and break down divisions to the glory of God.