Bible Strands
Galatians 3:2
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian churches mid-rebuke, having just called them "foolish" (3:1), and asks them to recall their own experience of receiving the Spirit.
The words — μαθεῖν (mathein), "to learn," reduces the entire question of salvation to something Paul wants them to remember, a rhetorical move that makes the answer seem self-evident and their present confusion inexcusable.
The thread — Acts 15:8 records the Spirit given to Gentiles as God's own approval, and Romans 10:16 ties belief to hearing, both reinforcing the "hearing with faith" side of the contrast.
Why it lands — It is a diagnostic question: the reader must check whether their own walk began in trust of what was heard or in performance of what was required, and the verse offers no middle ground.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Cross-references
- Romans 10:16 But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
- Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
- Acts 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
- Galatians 3:5 Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
- Ephesians 1:13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
- Acts 8:15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
- Hebrews 2:4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
- Acts 19:2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.