Does the Holy Spirit work miracles through the law or through hearing of faith?
The Holy Spirit works miracles through the hearing of faith, not through the works of the Law. Under the Law, no miracles could be performed; it was impossible. But when the Holy Spirit activated hearts by faith, pagans were miraculously transformed from idolatry and immorality into a new lifestyle, which is itself a miracle.
Les explains that the question in Galatians is whether the one who ministers the Spirit and works miracles among you does it by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith. The answer is clear: they could not perform any miracles under the working of the Law; it was impossible. But when the Holy Spirit activated the hearts and minds of the pagan Galatians and others throughout the Roman Empire, it was a miraculous transformation from paganism with its idolatry and immorality. They stepped into a whole new lifestyle, which is miracle enough. While there were no doubt other manifestations of the miraculous in the early church, the point remains: miracles come not by law-keeping but by the Spirit activated through faith. Les emphasizes we are not under Law but under grace, saved by grace through faith, plus nothing, and warns against being suckered into a works religion.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?