The complete obliteration of social and cultural distinctions as a basis for life under God was clearly understood by Paul as essential to the presence of Jesus in his people. It means nothing less than a new type of humanity, “Abraham’s seed.” Those who, in Paul’s language, have “put on Christ” make nothing of the distinctions between Jew and Greek, between slave and free, between male and female. If they “are Christ’s,” they inherit life in the kingdom, just as Abraham did through his faith (Gal. 3).
