Charles Spurgeon Commentary Galatians 3:2

"This only would I learn from you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" — Galatians 3:2 (ASV)

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

They had gone off into legality; they were trying to be saved by ceremonies, and by works of their own. "Well," asks Paul, "how did you receive the Spirit—the Spirit by which miracles were worked among you, the Spirit by which you spoke with unknown tongues, the Spirit which changed and renewed your hearts? If you did indeed receive him, did you receive him by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" There was only one reply to the question; the Spirit came to them as the result of faith.

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

"You profess to have received the Spirit; did the Spirit come to you by the works of the law, or through hearing and believing the gospel?"

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

"You know that the Spirit of God is necessary to salvation. You have received that; did you get the Spirit through the works of the law, or by simply hearing the gospel, and believing it?" The answer comes at once. If we have received the Spirit, it was by the hearing of faith, and not by the works of the law.