GALATIANS 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
NSB* -Through faith in Jesus Christ believers are not only blessed as sons of Abraham (vv.7,9) but also as sons of God (see John 1:12) and God's heirs (4:7). Believers have been adopted by God Himself. Although we were his enemies we have been made His sons. Although we deserve judgment, we will receive an internal inheritance from our Father.
Sons; primarily signifies the relation of offspring to parent. the dignity of the relationship with God whereinto men are brought by the Holy Spirit when they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek word used here is υἱός huios Vine's (def 1i), Strong's G5207.
My Notes - It is most likely men would have been reading Paul's letter, so he addresses them as "sons", but he is not contradicting John 1:12. Sons is defined in Strong's as a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. So this has the idea of men and women. This also gets backed up in verse 28.
Moving to verse 27.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Baptized; "baptism" enjoined by Christ, Matthew 28:19, a "baptism" to be undergone by believers, thus witnessing to their identification with Him in death, burial, and resurrection, e.g., Acts 19:5; Romans 6:3-Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12. The Greek word used here is βαπτίζω baptizō. Vines (def B-1), Strong's G907.
Definition References - Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Definition References - Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
1 Corinthians 1:13-17 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Colossians 2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Cross References: Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Moving to verse 28.
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Moving to verse 28.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
NSB* - The context of this verse is justification by faith in Jesus Christ, the fact that Jesus Christ has redeemed all those who believe on Him, whether Jew or Gentile (3:26-4:27). Racial, social, and gender distinctions that can divide, in no way hinder a person coming to Christ in order to receive His mercy. All people equally can become God's heirs and recipients of His eternal promises. (4:5-7) (**para).
Jew; Thayer denotes 1) Jewish, belonging to the Jewish nation 2) Jewish as respects to birth, origin, religion. The Greek word is Ἰουδαῖος Ioudaios Strong's G2453.
Greek; Dodson denotes a Hellene, a Greek a Hellene, the native word for a Greek; it is, however, a term wide enough to include all Greek-speaking (i.e. educated) non-Jews. The Greek word is Ἕλλην Hellēn. Strong's G1672
Slave; The King James version reads "bond", but the word bond, bond is defined as a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency). The Greek word is δοῦλος doulos. Strong's G1401.
Free; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability) The Greek word is ἐλεύθερος eleutheros. Strong's G1658.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:15-16 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Moving to verse 29.
Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Heirs; lit. denotes one who obtains a lot or portion" (kleros, "a lot," nemomai, "to possess"), especially of an inheritance. The NT usage may be analyzed as under: believers, inasmuch as they share in the new order of things to be ushered in at the return of Christ. Thayer expands - 1) one who receives by lot, an heir
Heirs; lit. denotes one who obtains a lot or portion" (kleros, "a lot," nemomai, "to possess"), especially of an inheritance. The NT usage may be analyzed as under: believers, inasmuch as they share in the new order of things to be ushered in at the return of Christ. Thayer expands - 1) one who receives by lot, an heir
1a) an heir 1b) in Messianic usage, one who receives his allotted possession by right of sonship 2) one who has acquired or obtained the portion allotted to himThe Greek word is κληρονόμος kleronomos. Vine's (def A-1c), Strong's G2818.
Takeaway - All those who believe in Jesus Christ will be heirs of God's eternal promises. See this study.
*NSB = Nelson Study Bible.
*NSB = Nelson Study Bible.
Comments