Galatians 3:28
What does Galatians 3:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:28 means
Paul announces the sweeping unity found in Christ Jesus. Distinctions like Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female remain as social realities, but they no longer determine one’s standing before God or access to His promises. All are equally one in Christ—equally justified, equally clothed with Christ, equally members of God’s family. This does not erase created differences; it removes superiority and barrier. The gospel makes a new people whose primary identity is their union with Christ. In Him, the old lines that fueled pride or exclusion lose their power to divide God’s church.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611There 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949There is no Jew or Greek, servant or free, male or female: because you are all one in Jesus Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862there is not here Jew or Greek, there is not here servant nor freeman, there is not here male and female, for all ye are one in Christ Jesus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890There is no Jew nor Greek; there is no bondman nor freeman; there is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus:
Context
This statement flows from verses 26–27’s emphasis on sonship through faith and being clothed with Christ. The unity described here is the social and ecclesial fruit of justification by faith apart from law. It prepares the ground for the final claim in verse 29: if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise. That conclusion ties the chapter’s themes together—Abraham, promise, faith, Christ, the Spirit, and the unity of God’s people—while setting the stage for chapter 4’s discussion of heirs and adoption.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.
- 1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
- John 17:20
Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;
- Romans 9:24
even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
- Ephesians 3:5
which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
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