Memorize this week:
Group A
11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.Group B
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
We only have one verse this week (and only six verses to go for Group A!). So let’s lean in and learn this.
We have four sets of categories here, flipping into one beautiful truth. While memorizing the categories may seem difficult at first glance, a closer look can help us understand not only the history behind the words, but also discover the relevance to our own lives.
1 – Greek and Jew
- Back Then
The Jews were God’s original “chosen people.” The vast majority of the early church was made up of Jews. The term “Greeks” here was generally considered everybody else who wasn’t a Jew, i.e., Gentiles. - Today
Sometimes we artificially divide up the “lifers” (those who “grew up in church”) from the newcomers. Paul was saying let go of that gap in identity.
2 – Circumcised and Uncircumcised
- Back Then
Jewish male believers were required to undergo this ritual of circumsion. It was a clear-cut physical sign of who was a Jew and who wasn’t. - Today
While we don’t have any comparable physical sign today for followers of Jesus, sometimes we create our own: Do you have a church membership? When was your water baptism? Do you wear Christian-themed t-shirts or display Christian bumper stickers on your car? Paul said there are no more physical signs like these.
3 – Barbarian and Scythian
- Back Then
If you didn’t know the Greek language back in Paul’s time, the Greeks considered you a Barbarian, one who spoke a foreign language. Scythians were from the north of the Black and Caspian Seas. Almost synonymous with barbarians, Scythians were also considered a wild and uncivilized people. - Today
Do you speak fluent “Christianese”? Too often we judge those who don’t know “our” language. We judge those whose ways seem too crazy (or too stoic) compared to ours. Again, Paul says no. Everyone is considered the same in Christ.
4 – Slave and Free
- Back Then
Some estimate that as many as 2/3 of the Roman empire were slaves. While conditions varied compared to what we think of as slavery in modern history, slavery was and is a subservient and unwanted position. - Today
If we broaden our definition of slavery, we can identify many modern prisons, with or without physical chains: addictions, poverty, subjugation, restraints, struggles. Paul said we aren’t to evaluate someone’s spiritual status by their presence or absence of shackles.
Ultimate Group – Christ in All
Our identity instead is in one person alone: Christ.
“Christ is all and in all”
As you memorize this week, think about how you may categorize people in your own relationships, about how you might categorize yourself.
Then remember instead that we’re all one in Christ.
And thank God for it.
Lisa, when you say, “Do you wear Christian-themed t-shirts or display Christian bumper stickers on your car? Paul said there are no more physical signs like these,” do you mean that we should not have any visible signs of being Christians? What about posting visual items on social media that reveal our beliefs? Aren’t these things part of our witness?
Thanks, Lois, for asking these questions. I didn’t intend to sound ambiguous, but I definitely see where you’re coming from. As one who DOES wear Christian t-shirts, post Christian things on social media, etc., as part of my witness, I do believe it is certainly fine to do so. What I mean to say is that those things alone don’t indicate that we indeed have Christ at the center of our life. Anyone can wear the shirt, but we can’t see what’s in their heart. But actually the same could have been said in Old Testament days, too: Even the men who were circumcised weren’t necessarily believers in Yahweh God, but just had parents who had them circumcised as a baby. In the end, it always comes down to only God can see our hearts. I appreciate you bringing this up!