How does Galatians 3:5 emphasize faith over works in receiving the Spirit? Galatians 3:5 Focus “Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?” A straightforward comparison • Two possible bases are set side by side – “works of the law” (human effort, rule-keeping) – “hearing with faith” (receiving the message and trusting it) • Paul’s wording makes only one option reasonable: the Spirit comes through believing the gospel, not through performing the law. Faith: the single channel for the Spirit • Galatians 3:2 repeats the same truth for emphasis: “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” • The Spirit is a gift, not a wage. Gifts are accepted by faith, wages are earned by work. • Miracles among the Galatians happened after they believed, confirming heaven’s approval of faith apart from law-keeping. What works of the law cannot accomplish • Works never add to what Christ finished (Galatians 2:21). • Relying on law places a person under its curse (Galatians 3:10), not under blessing. • Law exposes sin but cannot impart life or the Spirit (Romans 7:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6). Harmony with the rest of Scripture • Galatians 3:14 – The blessing promised to Abraham reaches Gentiles “so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” • Acts 10:44-45 – While Peter preached, “the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the message,” before any could perform Jewish ordinances. • Ephesians 1:13 – “Having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and having believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” • Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” • Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Why Paul highlights faith so strongly • To safeguard the gospel from legalism and ensure Christ’s sufficiency remains clear. • To anchor assurance in God’s promise rather than in fluctuating human performance. • To preserve unity among believers—Jews and Gentiles receive the same Spirit the same way. Living out the truth today • Keep the gospel central: continually “hear” and refresh your heart in what Christ has done. • Rest in the Spirit’s indwelling as evidence of God’s acceptance, not as a paycheck earned. • Serve and obey from gratitude empowered by the Spirit, never to earn His presence. • Encourage others to trust Christ alone, pointing to the Spirit’s work as proof of grace over works. |
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