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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.” (Galatians 3:28)

As a Bible reader or teacher, it is easy (and tempting) to assume what the Bible does not. Case in point, Galatians 3:28. This verse could be used to assume that the Bible teaches a kind of human equality that obliterates the beauty of God's creation design and purpose for male and female. However, it does not. Only our assumptions lead to such a conclusion.

Galatians 3:28 in no way equates a person’s equal access to Jesus with a person’s God-given design and purpose in the world. In fact, God loves and values (and still values) different, orderly roles in His world.

Equal Value, Different Design

Scripture describes orderly differing roles in the Godhead. The triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit) are equal in value with differing, complementary roles (John 8:29, Philippians 2:5-11, Galatian 4:4-6). 

Scripture speaks to orderly differing purposes within humanity. God made male and female equal in value with differing, complimentary design (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18-24; Matthew 19:3-6; Eph 5:22-33; 2 Corinthians 11:1-16).  God did this in the family as well, creating children to be equal before God yet with a different design and purpose in the home ("Children obey your parents..." (Ephesians 6:1).

Scripture speaks to orderly, differing roles within the Church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2:9-15; Titus 1:5-9). Each member is a child of God, an essential part, and yet a different part to play based upon God’s design and the role He has ordained (1 Cor 12:21-27). 

Even governments are established as part of God’s orderly design (Romans 13:1-7)!

The Meaning of Galatians 3:28

So what is the role and purpose of Galatians 3:28? What is it communicating? In its context, Galatians 3:28 says simply this: 

"THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IS FOR YOU!"

And “YOU” means anyone, regardless of your ethnicity (“Jew nor Greek”), your social status (“slave nor free”), or your sex (“male or female”).  If YOU are you, then YOU need Jesus, and Jesus will have YOU if you surrender to him by faith!

You are not a child of God. Jesus, the Son of God, came, lived, died, rose again. You will be made God’s true, eternal child and heir, through Jesus, if you trust in Him by faith. (this is the Gospel message)

YOU need Jesus. 

Jesus is YOURS by faith. 

Will YOU trust in Jesus?

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