Stroll through Scripture for June 1, 2025

Based on Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29

Paul doesn’t hold back in this letter.  “You foolish Galatians!” (vs. 1) and “Are you so foolish?” (Vs. 3).  This is consistent with the entire letter, right from the beginning.  In Chapter one, Paul jumps right into the controversy at hand doesn’t let us throughout the letter.  There is a sense of urgency throughout the letter.  And his harsh sounding statements about the Galatians are designed to catch their attention and wake them up from their sleep.  

In verses 1-9 Paul directly asks the church if they were saved by their following the law or by faith.  The central argument being was Christ’s action sufficient for all believers.  And Paul answers in the affirmative that it is, otherwise, to what end did Christ die?  

Paul draws Abraham into the argument as well saying that God make Abraham righteous (or in right relationship) by his faith/trust in God.  Ultimately, it was still God’s action that put Abraham into that right relationship with God.  

One of the most famous passages in Galatians comes at the end of Chapter three.  “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Vs. 28).  

This passage is interesting for a variety of reasons, including the use of words for this statement.  Overall, he is arguing that all are equal in the sight of God and that the human divisions of life hold no sway with God – we are united because of Christ. 

In the first two sections of the verse, Paul uses the Greek word – οὐδὲ.  This word is translated as or or nor.  For these two sections, Paul is contrasting groups of people – Jew/non-Jew, slave/free.  These are people that are seen in a sort of hierarchy in society.  But then he switches to the Greek word – καὶ.  This word is translated as “and.”  This is significant because Paul is breaking the established pattern, which is what faith in Christ does in life.  More significantly, it signals that the previous distinctions no longer hold and no longer are our primary identities.  Instead, it is our identity with Christ that matters and surpasses anything else.  In this sense, there are no difference that matter so long as we are grounded in Christ. 

Questions for further reflection:

• Imagine being in the church at Galatia and hearing Paul’s letter for the first time.  How would this letter catch you?  How would you feel?  Would it cause you to examine beliefs?  
• In verse 28, Paul is arguing that all are equal in identity through Christ.  How is this a radical concept in the ancient world, and still today?