“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 the hearing of faith?—”
Now Paul draws an inference to his three questions about how the Galatians came to faith (Ga 3:2-4).
Therefore
The “therefore” here is an inference drawing a conclusion from the three questions about the Galatians’ faith in the finished work of God. Paul returns to the question of verse 2 and concludes his argument from experience by emphasizing God’s work rather than theirs. If someone has received salvation through faith in Christ at the moment of belief and has the work of the Spirit currently in them, why revert to human meritorious effort or legalism? The Galatians denied the verifiable fact that they were baptized with the Spirit at the point of their salvation.
He who supplies the Spirit to you
The word “supplies” means to supply fully, abundantly. Secular Greek literature used this term for a wealthy sponsor who provided enormous funds to operate Greek plays. The Holy Spirit is a grant from God. God, in His incredible generosity, gave the Galatians more than they deserved. God is a Provider.
and works miracles among you,
God worked apostolic miracles among the Galatians (Acts 14:3,8-11). Galatians was an early book of the New Testament. God used apostolic miracles to give credibility to the New Testament. His ability to provide us with whatever we need humbles us.
does He do it by the works of the law,
Christians do not have to earn God’s favor or grace. Legalism implies that God begrudges what He gives us. God is more than willing to provide us with what we need.
or by the hearing of faith?
God is no miser, as the legalists would have it. We do not have to bribe Him for blessings. We appropriate by faith what He has provided to help us live the Christian life.
Principle:
God is a generous provider.
Application:
We operate by faith because we believe God is a generous provider. The Christian can confidently appeal to God’s grace to provide what he needs for Christian living. Faith sustains our spirituality. We can forgive others as Christ forgave us. We do not bribe God for blessings; He gives blessings of His free will. By faith, we accept what He provides.
Dear Dr.Grant,
In Gal 3:2 you say that Paul now asks 3 questions that point to faith as God’s principle for dealing with people.
So here it’s not Paul’s fourth appeal, but Paul’s appeal… ?
Rose
Rose, thanks for the clarification. It is the fifth question of chapter three for the Galatians.
My point is : in the page Galatians 3:2 you say that Paul now asks 3 questions that point to faith as God’s principle for dealing with people. The first question is in 3:2, the second question is in 3:3, the third in 3:4. So here is it fourth appeal or fifth question.? Or rather is it an appeal or an argument of contrast? If it’s fifth then fourth is missing. Just bringing to your notice.
Rose,
The “therefore” in verse 5 is an inferential particle drawing a conclusion or inference from the first three questions. The apostle returns to the question of verse 2. Paul brings his argument from experience to a conclusion by putting the emphasis on God’s work rather than theirs. If someone has received salvation through faith in Christ, the Spirit at the moment of belief, and has the work of the Spirit currently in them, why revert to human meritorious effort or legalism. The Galatians denied the verifiable fact that they were baptized with the Spirit at the point of their salvation.This sixth of Paul’s questions in chapter three both climaxes his argument and draws a conclusion about the previous three questions about exercising their faith in what God has done of their behalf.
I have reworked the first part of the verse. What do you think of the change?
Dear Dr. Grant,
I am humbled that you should ask for my opinion. I am the one privileged to read your scholarly work. I do feel bad pointing out small mistakes on the page, but when I do, you have been so graciously responding and making corrections. God bless your heart and may the good Lord bless all that you do for Him.
Now, I understood what you meant from your comment above. And your wording in the page also is good. Since one of the six questions is embedded in the third verse, when you were saying in verse 2 of the different set of questions (pointing to faith as God’s principle) within the six questions, it got a little confusing.
Thank you once again for all that you do and hope you don’t mind me bringing out editing errors on the page.
Rose
Rose,
I certainly do not mind that you give notice to editing errors, but greatly appreciate your suggestions.