What Does Galatians 3:27 Mean?

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Paul grounds verse 26's sonship claim in the baptismal reality: 'as many of you as have been baptized into Christ' (hosoi gar eis Christon ebaptisthēte, ὅσοι γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε). The aorist passive 'have been baptized' (ebaptisthēte, ἐβαπτίσθητε) points to the definitive moment of conversion when believers were baptized 'into Christ' (eis Christon, εἰς Χριστόν)—into union with Him. Whether Paul primarily means water baptism or Spirit baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13), the two are inseparable in New Testament thought: baptism signifies and seals union with Christ.

The result: 'have put on Christ' (Christon enedysasthe, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε). The verb endyō (ἐνδύω) means 'to clothe oneself, to put on'—the same verb used for putting on garments. The aorist middle voice indicates a completed action with personal involvement: you clothed yourselves with Christ (though God enabled it). This imagery evokes several associations: (1) putting off old garments (sin, old self) and putting on new garments (Christ, new self), as in Colossians 3:9-10 and Ephesians 4:22-24; (2) the high priest's garments representing righteousness and glory; (3) Roman toga virilis ceremonies where boys put on adult togas, signifying maturity—believers have 'put on' Christ, entering mature sonship.

To 'put on Christ' means to be clothed with His righteousness, to be identified with Him, to have one's identity found in Him. Baptism into Christ signifies union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4), resulting in new identity. The Judaizers wanted Gentiles to 'put on' circumcision; Paul insists they've already 'put on' Christ—nothing more is needed.