Can a believer be made perfect by the flesh after beginning in the Spirit?
No. Having begun in the Spirit, the believer is not made perfect or right with God by the flesh, which refers to the Law. The Law is fleshly, weak, and beggarly. Salvation was generated by the Holy Spirit because of faith, and Scripture says it is by faith, not the works of the Law.
Les explains that verse 3 repeats the same thrust as verse 1: “Are you so foolish?” Having begun in the Spirit—the work of the Holy Spirit that generated salvation because of their faith—the Galatians are asked whether they are now made perfect, or right with God, by the flesh. Les identifies the flesh here as the Law, which was fleshly, weak, and beggarly. He also emphasizes that faith is taking God at His Word: God said it, we believe it, and God recognizes it. The Spirit was received by the hearing of faith, not by the works of the Law.
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
More Questions
Can you move into a deeper spiritual life by the flesh?
It is foolish to try to move into a deeper spiritual life by the flesh after beginning in the Spirit.