This article has a curious title. In spite of the fact that they are slightly different, it comes from two different references in the Bible. The first is Colossians 3:11, and the second is Galatians 3:28.
Galatians 3 28 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.
Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
The purpose of this article is to establish the fact that the law and faith are the same for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Most adventists would agree that the law of God is still in force for both Jews and Gentiles. On the other hand, many non Adventist believers are convinced that the law was only for the Jews. If you are among the camp that believes that the law was only for the Jews, then please review this article as I am confident that it will contain overwhelming evidence, if not proof, that the law is the same today as it was in the beginning of human history, and that it applies equally to both the Jews and the Gentiles, both before and after the Cross. If you are already convinced of this fact, then you will find this article a good source to help those who are misinformed.
First of all it should be pointed out that in {Galatians 3:24} Paul states that the law was our schoolmaster. Therefore, when Paul said there was neither Greek nor Jew in {Galatians 3:28} he was speaking in the context of the law. It is true that he does transition to faith as a replacement for the law, but if the law was the schoolmaster, then faith cannot be contrary to the law since the law is the schoolmaster which is to prepare you for faith. If the law is the school which is to prepare you for the higher calling of faith which is above the law, then the law has the rudimentary fundamentals that are required to progress into faith. Nevertheless, both faith and the law which prepares you for faith work the same both for the Jew and the Gentile which is the point of this article.
Let’s take a closer look at {Colossians 3:11} Once again, Paul is speaking of the Jews and the Gentiles in the context of faith and the law. Colossians is a short book of 95 verses which can be read in about 15 minutes. Paul doesn’t cover a lot of doctrinal ground. The point being is that most of it is fairly closely related. Therefore I will only touch on the things that relate to this article. Nevertheless, please read it as it should help you to grasp the points being made here.
In order to establish that Paul’s letter is basically written in the context of the law and of faith let’s start by taking a look at {Colossians 1:2} Paul is writing to the faithful brethren at Colosse. A faithful Christian could not steal, commit adultery or worship idols. One is not considered faithful unless they have a track record of steadfast, strict and thorough performance of their duty.
Now let’s take a look at the first part of both {Galatians 3:28} and {Colossians 3:11} Paul makes a comparison between Jews on the one hand, and a varying list of the non Jewish including Greeks, Barbarians and Scythians. He also includes a list of circumcision or uncircumcision, bond or free, male or female all of which could be Jew or Gentile. In either case, Paul is indicating that there is no difference in these groups in the context of the law and also in the context of faith in Christ. In the second half of the first verse he says, ” for ye are all one in Christ Jesus,” and in the second verse he says, ” but Christ is all, and in all.” Thus indicating that the new man of faith in Christ will not be subject to the works of the flesh in the old man which is dead. Once again, the principal is the same both for the Jew and the Gentile.