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Male and Female Done Away With?
One argument against a woman having to veil or cover her head is what I call the “I’m Free” theory.
This assertion is that the distinction between male and female no longer exists. Therefore, all these old-fashioned, outdated ideas of male/female roles don’t apply any more (including a woman having to cover her head).
As their proof for the “I’m Free” argument, the proponents cite Galatians 3:28.
In Galatians 3:28 NKJV, we read “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Bold added)
There it is, we just read it!
There is neither male nor female. We’re all just one big happy unisex family!
The majority of you can skip this section, but unfortunately, I am compelled to dismantle the argument that others preach. [Sadly, I have even come to hear Christians (including sisters who have been stellar Bible students over the years) starting to parrot this mantra about there being no male or female in Christ with overtones of having equal rank to men.]
Galatians Is Taken Out of Context
The context of the book of Galatians is Paul contrasting no salvation under the Old Law with the hope for salvation under the New Covenant.
Paul was seemingly concerned and worried that some were returning to the requirements of the Old Law. In Galatians, Paul argues to the brethren that their salvation is only found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not under the principles of the Old Law that can only bring about eternal death.
Paul does not abolish the gender roles in the Bible.
Gender roles are designated by God (despite the misuse of this verse by untold numbers of so-called Christians deceiving others).
Read the context!
It is truly disingenuous to “proof text” or take a verse out of the backdrop in which it was written. Those who grab hold of the verse for a “proof text” abuse the context. [I am trying to be polite, but using a proof text is wrong.]
We have all seen video cuts in podcasts and news shows where a video clip is cut and edited to give a false impression. Taking a verse (or part of a verse) to prove something the Bible does not say is deceitful.
Even well-meaning Christians fall prey to “proof-texting” by quoting a Bible verse they memorized to support something that is not taught by the context. While this may be done at times with a pure conscious, it is nonetheless an error.
Let’s Examine if the Bible Says No More Males or Females
The Bible is often said to be its own best commentary. So let’s look at other parts of the New Testament to test the idea that there are neither slaves nor free; male nor female.
Please take time to read the book of Philemon, another letter written by the apostle Paul. Philemon 1:1-25
A Runaway Slave Finds His Freedom
In Philemon, we learn about a man by the name of Onesimus who was a runaway slave. He left his master Philemon and headed off to freedom.
Hey, it is hard to blame a man for wanting to be free!
On his journey to freedom, Onesimus ran into Paul and was taught the gospel. Onesimus became a Christian. Life was grand! Onesimus was free of his earthly master and now free in Christ Jesus!
The deal is that Paul told Onesimus that he had to return to his master, Philemon!
Onesimus was still a slave in the flesh even though he became a Christian, thus free in Christ.
Paul told Onesimus that it was necessary to fulfill his obligations as a slave, thus returning to his master. Returning to a master as a runaway slave was a dangerous proposition. The penalties could be severe!
If the liberty and freedom in Galatians 3:28 is a carnal, fleshly liberation, then Onesimus would not have been expected to return to a life of slavery.
Christians Do Things the Culture (the “World”) Call Foolish
Onesimus is one more example of a man who was told to do something very foolish from a worldly perspective.
For real! What kind of idiot elects to give up his newfound freedom to go back to being a slave (risking the brutal punishment of having been a runaway)?
In faith in the Lord and the joy of his spiritual freedom, Onesimus returned to his master.
God Made Male and Female; This Hasn’t Changed
Galatians 3:28 did not abolish slavery in the flesh and likewise did not abolish male and female roles in the physical world.
Those who take Galatians 3:28 out of context for a proof text to press for equity between males and females are teaching a false doctrine.
They directly contradict the Bible’s clear teaching about God’s roles for men and women. He sees us as equal in personhood, but God has given men the higher rank.
While we live in these fleshly bodies, we all remain male and female (including the roles God appointed to men and women).
In the spiritual realm with Christ as our King, there is no male or female, slave or free, Jew or Greek. We are all one in Christ. But, in the flesh, there remains male and female as God created, Greek and Jew, and masters and slaves.
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