'Neither Male nor Female' — Soteriological Only or Also Functional? (Galatians 3:26-29)

Complementarian position (Piper/Grudem, CBMW): Galatians 3:28 is only about equality in salvation — all are "equally justified by faith, equally free from bondage, equally children of God, equally clothed with Christ, equally heirs." It "does not abolish gender-based roles established by God and redeemed by Christ."

Egalitarian refutation: (1) The entire context of Galatians 3 is about sanctification and inheritance, not initial salvation. Paul addresses how believers LIVE after salvation (3:3, 3:11, 3:25). (2) The three categories negated — Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female — were never distinctions in salvation under the OT. Gentiles, slaves, and women could all be saved. The distinction was in inheritance and privilege. (3) The word "sons" (huioi) is the key: sonship means full inheritance rights. Women inherit as sons — not as lesser heirs. (4) Even Piper/Grudem's own list includes "equally heirs of the promises to Abraham" — but if women are truly equal heirs, they cannot be restricted from the spiritual gifts and ministry roles that are part of that inheritance. (5) Paul carries this directly into Galatians 4:7: "if a son, then an heir through God." The inheritance includes all spiritual privileges, not just forgiveness of sins.