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Galatians 3:28 - The Woman's Role

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The woman’s role in the church has become a very important issue in our brotherhood.  In some places, women are being allowed to teach men in Bible classes and from the pulpit.  Women are leading prayers and waiting on the Lord’s Table.  Some churches are allowing women to serve in the positions of both elders and deacons.  One of the passages used to justify this practice is Galatians 3:28.

            Let’s begin by looking at this passage in its context.  “For we are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-28).  In this text, Paul is discussing the matter of salvation in Christ.  Every person who obeys the gospel by being baptized into Christ becomes part of Christ’s spiritual body.  Each becomes Abraham’s seed.  Each becomes an heir.  Please note Paul is not discussing the roles of men and women in the church in this passage.

            Judaism had excluded the Gentiles.  In the Roman system, women and slaves were often forbidden any participation therein.  Such was not the character of Christianity.  Everyone, regardless of culture, socio-economic status, or gender, could become part of the one body of Christ.

            Within the body, however, there had to be order and decency.  God, therefore, regulated the roles and responsibilities of men and women in the church (I Cor. 14:34-35; I Tim. 2:11-15).  He also regulated responsibilities on the basis of single versus married (I Tim. 3:2, 12); novices versus seasoned Christians (I Tim. 3:6); and with regard to the nature of one’s spiritual gifts (I Cor. 14:27-28).  Again, these distinctions were given to bring order to the body of Christ.  “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (I Cor. 14:33).