Discussion Questions
Old Testament
Did Isaiah have Jesus in mind in Chapter 40?
New Testament
Do all Christians have the same role in home, church and society? Galatians 3:25
Notes and Commentary
Old Testament
Did Isaiah have Jesus in mind in Chapter 40?
[3] The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God. [4] Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. [5] the LORD’s glory shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.” Isaiah 40:3-5 (WEB).
cf Matthew 3:3 (WEB). [3] For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.”
New Testament
Do all Christians have the same role in home, church and society?
[25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. [26] For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:25-29 (WEB).
All people are equal before God, and have the same gift of His salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Being “equal before God,” does not mean all people are identical, or have the same role within the church. Note, for example, Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians:
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Different kinds of service (1 Corinthians 12:5)
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Different manifestations of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
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Different parts of the body of Christ, compared to different parts of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
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Different roles within the church, enumerated (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
Barnes’ New Testament Notes. Verse 28. “There is neither Jew nor Greek.” All are on a level; all are saved in the same way; all are entitled to the same privileges. There is no favoritism on account of birth, beauty, or blood. All confess that they are sinners; all are saved by the merits of the same Saviour; all are admitted to the same privileges as children of God.
[Family Bible Notes from the Nazrene Users Group] One in Christ Jesus; possessed of one character; accepted in one way; belonging to one family; under one head, Christ; and equally entitled to all the blessings of salvation through him.
[John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible] There is neither Jew nor Greek - That is, there is no difference between them; they are equally accepted through faith. There is neither male nor female - Circumcision being laid aside, which was peculiar to males, and was designed to put a difference, during that dispensation, between Jews and gentiles.
Notes:
© Tom Truex 2014, Davie, FL