King James Bible
"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."
Paul dismantles the primary ethnic and religious divide of his era, declaring that the gospel transcends the distinction between God's covenant people and Gentiles. This was revolutionary in a context where Jewish identity was tied to special access to God through the Law. The apostle addresses the Roman world's fundamental social hierarchy between slaves and free citizens, asserting that one's legal status does not determine spiritual standing. This challenged both societal norms and early church dynamics where wealthy patrons held significant influence. Paul extends the principle to gender distinctions, affirming equal spiritual dignity in a patriarchal society where women often had limited religious roles. This echoes Genesis 1:27's creation account while pointing to a new social reality within the church. The basis for this radical equality is union with Christ—believers share the same spiritual identity regardless of earthly categories. This theological foundation transforms how the church understands membership, moving from external markers to shared participation in Christ's body.