thinking bible.

You asked

what were the primary social divisions paul was challenging in 1st century galatia?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote this letter to Christian communities in the Roman province of Galatia (modern-day Turkey), likely in the mid-first century CE. He was addressing a critical challenge to his teaching: some were arguing that non-Jewish believers needed to adopt Jewish customs, like circumcision, to be fully part of God's people.

What divisions, unspoken or overt, do we tend to accept as natural within our communities today?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Colossians 3:11

    This passage echoes the theme of new identity in Christ transcending former distinctions.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13

    Here, Paul applies similar language of unity to the diverse body of believers, all empowered by one Spirit.

  • Romans 10:12

    Paul states that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for salvation, as the same Lord is Lord of all.

Ask your own follow-up