. . . in Galatians 3.27-28
Paul argues that the baptismal ritual creates a new situation in which there is
now “no male and female” (ουκ ενι αρσεν και θηλυ). Whatever the proper exegesis of this
text, the allusion to Genesis 1.27 is clear. Furthermore, in Colossians 3.9-11,
Paul writes,
(3.9) Do not lie to
one another, because you have put off the old humanity with its practices
(3.10) and put on the new humanity which is being renewed n knowledge according
to the image of the creator (και’ εικονα του κτισαντος αυτον), (3.11) where there
is no Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, Barbarian, Scythian, slave
nor free, but the Messiah is everything and in everything.
Paul is obviously
referring to baptism and speaks of a ritual “re-humanization” in which converts
“are renewed in knowledge κα’ εικονα του κτισαντος αυτον” (on this as a
baptismal passage, cp. esp. Rom. 6.6 within 6.1-11). (Chris Kugler, Paul and
the Image of God [London: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2020], 112)