Paul is deeply concerned about the churches of Galatia. He received a message that they are listening to men from Judea who want them to be under the law of Moses (Gal 4:21). In chapters 1 and 2, he defended the gospel of grace he preached to them on his first missionary journey. In the next major section of Galatians (3:1-4:31), Paul expounds upon the gospel of grace. Starting in Chapter 3 he asks the “foolish Galatians” four questions to expose their folly and convince them to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.
How Did You Receive the Spirit? (3:2)
Paul’s first question is: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” Paul can answer this question for them because he was present for many of their conversions. He knows the gospel he preached to them and knows they received the Holy Spirit by faith, not works. Did they receive the Holy Spirit because they were circumcised? No. Did they receive the Spirit because they followed the ceremonial food laws? No. Did they receive the Spirit because they offered the proper sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem? Not at all! The Holy Spirit is not received by the works of the law. To think so is foolishness!
If the Spirit is not received by the works of the law, how is He received? Hebrews 4:2 says, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb 4:2). They heard the gospel of grace from Paul and they believed that Jesus is the Christ. This is justification. They repented of their sin and received forgiveness by grace through faith. Therefore, they received the Holy Spirit within them (indwelling) by faith. Christ has redeemed them and they are born again and receive the new birth (John 3:3). Christians are in a new covenant (Jer 31:31) with a better mediator (Heb 8:6). They are justified by hearing with faith, not by the works of the law.
How Are You Being Made Perfect? (3:3)
Paul’s second question is: “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” The answer is obvious: if you began with the Spirit, why would you seek to continue by the flesh? Paul rightly judges that such thinking is foolish! The men from Jerusalem (e.g., Judaizers) accused Paul of leading the Galatians into sin because they were not keeping the law. Paul is adamant that Christ is not a minister of sin (2:17) and following Christ does not lead to a life of sin. On the contrary, God the Father made His Son Jesus “to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21). You are not perfected by the works of the law.
The Galatians began in the Spirit and must continue in the Spirit. If they were not justified by the law, why would they seek to be made perfect by the law? How are Christians to be made perfect (i.e., complete, sanctified)? If it is not through the law, then it must be through faith in Christ. Sanctification is the ongoing process in which a justified person becomes more and more like Jesus Christ. Justification is a one-time event that happens upon faith in Jesus and sanctification is an ongoing process after one has been justified. Justification says you are God’s son and sanctification is the process in which you become more like God’s Son: Jesus. Our sanctification finds its completion in our glorification when we are with God in our new, glorified bodies. Through the Gospel, we are redeemed from sin and given eternal life. The Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification in us (1 Cor 6:11) so that we will grow in spiritual maturity; becoming mature disciples of Christ. Jesus’ command to make disciples (Matt 28:19) is a call for Christians to become sanctified by obedience to Christ’s commands.
Was Your Suffering in Vain? (3:4)
Paul’s third question is: “Have you suffered so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain?” Paul wants them to consider why they are being persecuted and who is persecuting them. Paul wants them to remember the suffering they endured when they first believed. They were persecuted for their belief in Christ. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Paul rebukes them by saying that if they turn away from Christ all their suffering was in vain. According to Peter, “If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14). Jesus was very clear, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:11-12). Our suffering is never in vain.
How Does God Work Miracles Among You? (3:5)
Paul’s fourth question is: “Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you–does He do it by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” Luke records in Acts 14:3 what was happening in the city of Iconium in the region of Galatia during Paul’s first missionary journey. Luke wrote, “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” Paul wants the Galatians to think about what was the cause and purpose of the miraculous works among them? The Spirit works miracles among them as a sign to testify to the gospel of grace. The supply of the Spirit and the works of miracles among the Galatians is because of hearing with faith.
Are You Saved By the Hearing of Faith?
It is foolish to think that the works of the law will bring righteousness before God. One would have to be bewitched in order to believe something so ridiculous! God the Father has sent His Son into the world to pay the penalty for sin by dying on the cross. Jesus, through His resurrection, is able to grant His righteousness to all who believe. God the Father justifies the ungodly who trust in His Son for salvation. The Trinity welcomes into relationship all those who hear with faith.
If you profess faith in Jesus, do not be foolish and listen to false teachers who seek to turn you away from Christ and His gospel of grace. Commit to growing in your faith and being discipled. Cultivate the spiritual disciplines of Bible intake, prayer, and church participation. Grow in your love for God. Repent of your sin. Develop godly relationships of mutual accountability. Pray for and share with those that you know are not Christians.
If you do not profess faith in Christ or are unsure of your standing with Him, hear the gospel and respond in faith. Jesus is the Son of God who became like us. He lived a sinless life and died a sacrificial death. He was resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin and receive His forgiveness.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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