Commentaries:
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Galatians 3:26-29
These verses pair groupings or concepts that separate people and keep them divided and sometimes at war with each other. Paul shows racial differences (Greek and Jew); religious differences (circumcised and uncircumcised); cultural differences (barbarian and Scythian); social differences (slave and free); and finally sexual difference (male and female).
These are in no way all the differences that divide humanity, but they give enough of a representation for God to make His point. He makes it clear that we cannot be united to Him and separated from our brother at the same time. To do something for or against a brother is to do it to Christ (Matthew 25:31-46). Because we, as brethren, are "in" Christ and He "in" us, we are one organism. John says if a man does not love his brother, he does not love God (I John 4:20)! This is serious business. We must be one with both.
The person who is truly converted is motivated, guided, inspired, led by, yielding to, and empowered by the radiant energy flowing from Christ, who lives and works in Him. It is almost as if Christ and His converted brethren are driven together because they share the same nature.
John W. Ritenbaugh
All in AllRelated Topics: All in All | Body of Christ | Christ in Us | Differences, Cultural | Differences, Racial | Differences, Religious | Differences, Sexual | Division | Division, Causing | In Christ | Indwelling of Christ | Love for Brethren | Love for Christ | Love for God | Love for Man | Spiritual Organism | Unity | Unity in the Spirit | Unity with God
Galatians 3:26-29
True Christians exhibit the faith and righteousness of Abraham. God considers them to be the patriarch's spiritual descendants regardless of their race or sex. Consequently, they will inherit the same promises made to Abraham.
Earl L. Henn
Basic Doctrines: The Reward of the SavedRelated Topics: Abraham | Abraham's Faith | Abraham's Righteousness | Abraham's Seed | Abraham, Descendants of | Abrahamic Covenant | Faith | Faith, Abraham's | Promises of God | Promises to Abraham | Promises to Israel | Promises to Patriarchs | Reward of the Saved | Spiritual Inheritance | Spiritual Israelite
Galatians 3:26
This statement would have been a bombshell - and high heresy - to the average Jew of Paul's time, who would have had it in his mind that the people of Israel were the only children of God. Paul here is beginning to explain that physical lineage is not relevant where God's calling is concerned, because under the New Covenant only God can give the summons (John 6:44), and if He summons a Gentile, it is just as valid as if He gave it to an Israelite.
The faith of Jesus Christ is the important factor rather than heredity. This faith is also a part of what God gives (Ephesians 2:8) - again, only to those whom He chooses. But if God has given this living faith (James 2:20) to a man, that man is then a begotten - but not yet born - child of God. God is the real father, rather than Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob.
David C. Grabbe
Related Topics: Abraham | Abraham's Seed | Abraham, Descendants of | Abrahamic Covenant | Begettal of Holy Spirit | Begettal of the Holy Spirit | Children of Abraham | Children of God | Children of Israel | Faith of Christ | Faith, Living | God's Children | God's Family | God's Household | God's Promises | God's Promises to Abraham | Israelite, Spiritual | New Covenant | Promises of God | Promises to Abraham | Promises to Gentiles | Promises to Israel | Promises, Spiritual | Spiritual Israelite
Galatians 3:25-27
Since Christ has come, the Old Covenant rules and regulations that isolated Israel from other ethnic groups are no longer needed. Israel no longer needed a guardian. The time had come to put away the need for the practices that separated Israel from other nations and caused such hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles. Christ had brought a totally new approach. The church, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16), is a spiritual organism made up of people of all races and nationalities who repent and keep the spiritual laws of God as Jesus had magnified them.
Earl L. Henn
What Was the Law 'Added Because of Transgressions'?Related Topics: Church as Organism | Church as Spiritual Organism | Church as the Israel of God | Church, The | God's Law | Hedge | Israel of God | New Covenant | Old Covenant | Spiritual Israelite | Spiritual Organism
Galatians 3:26
We become children of Abraham once we are justified by faith in Christ's sacrifice. The Abrahamic Covenant and the promises God made, then, are still in effect. He is going to fulfill those promises. Abraham will have multiple billions of descendants. Now we see the real purpose of the covenant: Abraham's children actually, under God's spiritual purpose, also become God's children.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Seven)Related Topics: Abraham | Abraham's Seed | Abraham, Descendants of | Abrahamic Covenant | Children of Abraham | Children of God | Children of Israel | God's Children | God's Family | God's Household | God's Promises | God's Promises to Abraham | Israelite, Spiritual | Promises of God | Promises to Abraham | Promises to Israel | Promises, SpiritualOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Galatians 3:26:
Genesis 3:15
Genesis 6:9
Matthew 13:1-43
Romans 2:26-28
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
Galatians 3:29
Revelation 19:16
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What Does Galatians 3:26 Mean?
In Galatians 3:26, the declaration that all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus unites humanity across racial, religious, cultural, social, and sexual divides. Physical lineage holds no relevance; God's call, given to both Jew and Gentile, establishes one as a child of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, a gift from God. True Christians, justified by faith in Christ's sacrifice, become spiritual descendants of Abraham, inheriting his promises. Regardless of race or sex, those exhibiting Abraham's faith and righteousness are considered God's children, bound together as one organism in Christ, driven by His nature and radiant energy flowing within them.