Book of Galatians - Chapter 3 - Verse 2

The verse 'This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?' from the book of Galatians in the Bible is asking a crucial question about the source of spiritual empowerment. In this verse, the apostle Paul is challenging the Galatian Christians to reflect on how they initially received the Holy Spirit. He contrasts receiving the Spirit through observing the religious rituals and requirements of the Mosaic law with receiving the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes the importance of faith as the foundational element in the Christian experience, highlighting that the Spirit is not earned through works but is rather received through believing in the message of salvation. By posing this question, Paul is encouraging believers to focus on the central role of faith in their relationship with God and to reject any reliance on their own efforts to earn spiritual favor. This verse serves as a reminder of the essential truth that salvation comes through faith alone, not through adherence to laws or regulations.

The theological interpretation of Galatians 3:2 focuses on the contrast between works of the law and faith in receiving the Spirit. The apostle Paul is challenging the Galatian believers to reflect on how they initially received the Spirit. The question posed in this verse underscores the fundamental truth that salvation is not achieved through adherence to the Mosaic law or good works, but rather through faith in Christ. The emphasis is on the transformative power of faith in Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that accompanies it. By highlighting the importance of the hearing of faith, Paul underscores the significance of belief in Christ as the basis for receiving the Spirit. This verse serves as a reminder to believers that their relationship with God is not based on human effort but on God's grace received through faith.