Galatians 3:28

Jew nor Greek. That is, Jew nor Gentile (see on Rom. 1:16). Christianity subordinates the role of race and nationality to the principle of the brotherhood of all men (Acts 17:26). Here, however, Paul speaks of the standing of Jew and non-Jew before God (see on Acts 10:34; cf. on Matt. 20:15). In Christ’s kingdom all are covered with the same garment of Christ’s righteousness, which they receive by faith in Jesus Christ. But to the Judaizing Christians of Paul’s day such an idea was rank heresy. They maintained that the only way into the Christian church was through Judaism, that a Gentile must first be circumcised — become a Jew, as it were — before being accepted into the Christian communion.

Bond nor free. In the sight of God there is no difference between the soul of a slave and the soul of a free man. The slave is eligible to salvation on the same basis as the nonslave. Both may be saved by faith in Jesus. Christianity alone eliminates distinctions based on race, nationality, and social standing. Here, however, Paul is not dealing with the subject of slavery as such.

Male nor female. In the ancient world women were commonly considered as little more than chattels, and thus infinitely inferior to men. Pagan philosophers sometimes argued as to whether a woman even had a soul. In some pagan societies a father or husband had authority over the women of his household to the point of ordering their execution. The elevation of woman to equality with man is the direct result of Christian teaching and practice. Here, however, Paul is thinking of the status of women before God as sinners in need of salvation.

One in Christ. As the divine precepts of love for God and for one’s fellow men are made operative, men’s hearts are united in a close bond of fellowship, each with others, under their heavenly Father (see on Matt. 22:36-40).