Galatians 3:27

The connexion seems to be, - I say, it is by faith in Christ, that you are sons of God a faith professed in your Baptism, by which you put on Christ. In Him all the old distinctions of race, condition and sex disappear, so far as the inheritance of the promise is concerned".

The doctrine of Holy Baptism, as taught in this verse, has been the subject of discussion among expositors, some affirming that every person does in Baptism put on Christ, others denying that the Apostle is referring to the rite of Baptism. But surely neither of these inferences is warranted by the context. He is addressing those who by faith in Christ are sons of God. The - all" of Galatians 3:26, and the -as many of you" of this verse, have reference to those distinctions which were done away in Christ.

have put on Christ This and the preceding verb are aorists, and should be rendered, were baptized, put on Christ. The two acts were definite and contemporaneous.

The metaphor may betaken from the white robe in which persons were clothed after submitting to the rite of Baptism. But St Paul uses the expression to denote a change of character, by which the person appears under a new aspect. -If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, they have become new," 2 Corinthians 6:17. The verb is of frequent occurrence in his writings, and its full force can be best understood from a comparison of those passages. Thus the things assumed or put on are, -the armour (or weapons) of light," Romans 13:12. -The Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 13:14. -Immortality," 1 Corinthians 15:53-54. -The new man," Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10. -The whole armour of God," Ephesians 6:11 (cf. Galatians 3:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8). -Bowels of compassion, goodness, humility, gentleness, long-suffering)" Colossians 3:12. In Luke 24:49 it is rendered -endued". It is to be noted that in each of the offices for Holy Baptism there is a prayer that -those dedicated" to God by the office and ministry of His Church -may be enduedwith heavenly virtues".