Galatians 3:2
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
GALATIANS 3:2
In this verse, Paul poses a pointed question: did they receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? He isn’t merely asking about experience but about the mechanism of salvation and ongoing Spirit-work. When Paul preached, the Spirit’s presence—fruit, gifts, transformation—attested to the gospel’s truth. The “works of the law” represents earning righteousness through adherence to Mosaic commandments. The early Christian communities were wrestling between the old covenant system and the new covenant in Christ. Paul’s question highlights that the Spirit’s initial reception is not the result of human effort but of trusting the message of Christ. It also signals that the Spirit’s ongoing work is inseparable from how one enters the Christian life: by faith, not by legal compliance.
This verse underlines justification by faith and the continuity of Spirit-empowerment. The Spirit’s arrival marks the moment when the gospel moves from argument to experience: transformation, conviction of sin, empowerment to live righteously, and communal life characterized by love. By contrasting “works of the law” with “hearing of faith,” Paul asserts that true righteousness comes from trusting in Christ’s sufficiency, not in personal merit. It also guards against diminishing the Spirit’s sovereign action by ritualism. Theologically, it ties faith to reception of the Spirit, grounding the Christian life in divine initiative rather than human achievement.
Ask yourself: Am I seeking God through rule-keeping, or am I drawing near by faith in Jesus? How is the Spirit at work in your life right now? Practical steps: reflect on moments when you felt God’s presence or transformation—was it from relying on a principle you “kept” or from trusting Christ? Create spaces for listening to the Spirit: Scripture reading, prayer, confession, and neighbor-love. If you’re tempted to justify yourself by performance, revisit the gospel: God’s Spirit comes as you believe, not as you measure up. Consider sharing your faith story with a friend—how faith, not works, brought you into God’s family. Let the Spirit’s fruit (love, joy, peace, patience) become markers of growth rather than badges of achievement.
Cross-References: Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:14; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13; Titus 3:5