Daily Scripture Reading Galatians 3:23 - 4:20

There is a lot of debate within modern Christianity over the role of women in the family, church, and society. There are passages in the Bible which clearly restrict the role of women and preserve some roles for men only. However, many Christians dispute those restrictions.

There is a verse in today’s passage which is often used to minimize or throw out the restrictions, because this verse contains a phrase about there being no distinction between male and female. However, careful attention to the details and context of this verse shows that this verse has a very narrow application, and should not be used to override the passages that speak clearly regarding the role of women.

In Galatians 3 Paul quoted many Old Testament scriptures to prove that Gentile believers do not need to be circumcised or obey the Law of Moses in order to be saved. Then he began explaining why the Law exists. It was a mediator that was necessary until Christ came.

Gal. 3:23 ¶ But before faith came, we were held in custody under the Law, being shut up for the coming faith to be revealed.

The first coming of Jesus was the coming of faith.

Gal. 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor unto Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Gal. 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

This is an important verse for those who believe Christians today need to observe the Mosaic Law. Paul specifically called the Law a tutor and then said we are no longer under the tutor because faith has come.

Gal. 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal. 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

This verse is often misused. There are passages in the Bible which restrict the role of women in the family, church, and society. Some people disagree with those restrictions and often quote this verse to claim there is no distinction between male and female; therefore, women can fill any role a man can fill. However, that is reading something into the verse that is not there.

Look at the context. Paul was writing about salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Verse 28 means that in regards to salvation, there is no difference between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female. Every person in the world is saved the exact same way, by believing in Jesus. That is the limit of what Paul was communicating in this verse. This verse only refers to the method of salvation, it does not override the passages in the Bible which delineate separate roles for male and female.

Gal. 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.

Gal. 4:1 ¶ Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,

Gal. 4:2 but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father.

Gal. 4:3 So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the elemental things of the world.

Gal. 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

Gal. 4:5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Look at the word “redeem”. Christ redeemed those who were under the Law. Redemption means the people who were under the Law were no longer under the Law. This tells us even Jewish believers were and are no longer required to observe the Mosaic Law.

Gal. 4:6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Gal. 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Gal. 4:8 ¶ However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.

Gal. 4:9 But now, having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

This question was addressed to the believers in the region of Galatia. They had become believers through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. Now, for some reason, some of them wanted to start observing the Law of Moses. Paul asked them why they had that desire. The unspoken implication is that they should not have that desire.

Gal. 4:10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Some of the precepts of the Mosaic Law had to do with observing sabbaths and festivals which were based on the calendar. The Sabbath was the seventh day of every week. Festivals like Passover and Day of Atonement were on a specific day of a specific month. The Law also prescribed every seventh year as a Sabbatical year.

Gal. 4:11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you for nothing.

Gal. 4:12 ¶ I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong.

Gal. 4:13 But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time;

Gal. 4:14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

The books of Acts and Galatians do not give us a clear explanation what illness this was to which Paul referred.

Gal. 4:15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

When Paul was on his first missionary journey and preached the gospel to these churches in Galatia, they were so grateful, Paul believed they would have sacrificed their own eyes to help Paul.

Gal. 4:16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Now, there was friction between Paul and them because Paul was telling them the truth.

Gal. 4:17 They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them.

It is not quite clear to whom the pronouns “they” and “them” refer. The only antecedent in the previous verses that is a possibility is the word enemy in verse 16. However, Paul was hypothetically referring to himself with that word.

Looking at the overall context of the passage, the pronouns “they” and “them” might refer back to chapter 1 verse 7, to those who were disturbing the Galatians and distorting the gospel.

Gal. 4:18 But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.

Gal. 4:19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—

Gal. 4:20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

Paul was perplexed because the believers in Galatia wanted to enslave themselves to the Law, even though from the first time they heard the gospel they had been taught it was not necessary. In tomorrow’s passage, Paul will continue his arguments.

There are passages in the Bible which specify specific roles for males and females. Many Christians do not like those distinctions and try to rationalize them away. One of the verses they misuse in an attempt to do that is Galatians 3:28. That verse says that in regards to salvation, there is no distinction between male and female. Both men and women become Christians the exact same way.

That fact does not mean men and women can fill the same roles in the family, church, and society. Galatians 3:28 does not override the passages which delineate separate roles for men and women.

To what extent does your church and your pastor have a correct concept of the application of Galatians 3:28?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”