How did the Galatians receive the Spirit—by works of the law or by hearing of faith?
The Galatians received the Spirit by the hearing of faith, not by works of the law. Paul asks whether they received the Spirit, the evidence of salvation, by keeping the law or by hearing faith, and the answer is hearing faith. Salvation is faith plus nothing; faith comes by hearing.
Les explains that in chapter 3 verse 2 Paul asks the Galatians whether they received the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith. The Spirit is the evidence of their salvation. Paul's answer rules out law-keeping: no way did they get to that spiritual position by keeping the law. Les connects this with Romans 10:17, where faith comes by hearing, not by works. Hearing itself involves no work, and salvation is the finished work plus nothing. If it were otherwise, Christ died for nothing.
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
More Questions
What is the evidence of salvation according to Galatians 3?
Les explains that in Galatians 3 Paul challenges the bewitched Galatians, asking whether they received the Spirit—the evidence of their salvation—by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith. The answer is no way by law; it is by the hearing of faith. Les compares Romans 10:17, where faith comes by hearing, and notes there is no work in hearing. Salvation is faith plus nothing; otherwise Christ died in vain.