There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:28.
I wonder if this verse isn’t the most forgotten verse in the New Testament.
St. Paul’s message in Galatians 3:28 is a statement about unity and highlights that in the early church ethnicity and status were obstacles to Paul’s vision of equality and common identity.
Given the historical context, Paul was addressing a world where distinctions based on ethnicity (Jew/Greek), social status (slave/free), and gender (male/female) held significant sway and often dictated one’s place and rights. His message was revolutionary in its assertion that these traditional hierarchies were superseded by a new, shared identity in Christ. He was advocating for a community where these external markers of difference did not lead to exclusion or diminish an individual’s worth or belonging within the church.
If Paul were to observe our world today, with its persistent focus on differences and instances of exclusion, he would likely reiterate his core message of unity and the dangers of tribalism. He might point to the fact that despite progress, racial and ethnic tensions continue. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen in many parts of the world, and that economic tribalism often leads to resentment and social instability.
Paul’s response would likely be a renewed call for recognition of shared humanity and a common spiritual bond that transcends these divisions. He would probably emphasize that focusing on differences to the point of exclusion undermines the very fabric of community and prevents true understanding and cooperation. He might challenge us to look beyond superficial distinctions to find the common ground and shared values that can unite us.
Paul’s message in Galatians 3:28 serves as a reminder that true unity lies not in the eradication of individual identities, but in the recognition of a deeper, unifying bond that transcends our differences and calls us to a higher purpose of mutual respect and love.
Leave a Reply +