How did the Galatians receive the Holy Spirit, by keeping the law or by faith?
The Galatians received the Holy Spirit by the hearing of faith, not by keeping the law. Paul asks whether they received the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith, and the implied answer is faith alone. Salvation is faith plus nothing; law-works cannot produce this spiritual position.
Les explains that in Galatians 3:2 Paul asks the Galatians whether they received the Holy Spirit—the evidence of their salvation—by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith. Paul’s answer is emphatic: not by law-keeping. Les ties this to Romans 10:17, where faith comes by hearing, and notes there is no work in hearing. Salvation is faith plus nothing, the finished work of Christ plus nothing; if it were otherwise, Christ died in vain.
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
In Galatians 3:2, did the Galatians receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing of faith?
Galatians 3:2 asks whether the Galatians received the Holy Spirit by works of the law or by hearing of faith, and the answer given is that they received the Spirit by hearing of faith, not by works.
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.