COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 22
Gal 3:2 "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain." (Gal 3:2-4)
CONCERNING RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
INTRODUCTION
Like the Israelites, the Galatian Christians "went backward, and not forward" (Jer 7:24). That was normal for the Israelites, because their sins were not taken away, they had not been born again, they did not have the Holy Spirit, and they had not been reconciled to God. Even under those decidedly lesser conditions, God was not at all tolerant of the backsliddings found among the ancient people. Since Jesus has been enthroned, having made an end of sin and brought in everlasting righteousness, going backward is a completely intolerable circumstance. I understand that there can be recovery from such a thing - but it is not without considerable difficulty. This is because to move backward, the Christian must "remove" from the One who calls the saved "into the grace of Christ" (Gal 1:6). Such people have been "bewitched," so that they do not obey the truth which, at the first, made them free( Gal 3:1; John 8:32). No person who has been enlightened and tasted of the Holy Spirit (Heb 6:4) removes from Christ on their own. They have come under some other influences - wicked influences. That is how they were "bewitched." It may have been a personal contact, something that was heard or read, or seen; but someone solidly aligned with the devil came into their lives. Paul has been showing the total unreasonableness of such an experience, for it involves exchanging the truthful and effective Gospel for a spurious message and persuasion. The Spirit has been "grieved" and "quenched" (Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19), and an "evil heart of unbelief" has entered, dominating the backslider (Heb 3:12). The presence and dominance of these things is what moves the apostle to speak with such strength and conviction. He knows what has taken place among the Galatians, even though unbelief has so hardened them they themselves are unaware of their real condition. Now Paul points to the receiving of the Holy Spirit - something that attended their induction in Christ, and their translation into His Kingdom. He will call upon them to make a spiritual diagnosis, He will ask them concerning when they received the Spirit. The question assumes that had been taught property on this matter, and at one time knew the answer.
RECEIVING THE SPIRIT
Gal 3:2 "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"
Paul now directs their thinking to a particular matter. He does not hold a discussion with them in which they can voice their opinions, or present a defense for their conduct. Paul already knows they have defected, and he knows why - they have removed themselves from Christ, embraced another gospel, and been bewitched. They are in no position to give explanations.
THIS ONLY WOULD I LEARN OF YOU. Other versions read, "This is the only thing I want to find out from you," NASB "I would like to learn just one thing from you," NIV and "Give me an answer to this one question.." BBE
Paul asks the Galatians a question, the answer to which will reveal both their situation and their need. He selects a question that is at the heart of the situation. If due and honest thought is given, the thinking of the people will be directed into a profitable area. In our time, there does not appear to be many that can ask pertinent questions. This lack of ability contributes to scattered and erroneous thinking.
RECEIVING THE SPIRIT. "Received ye the Spirit . . . ?" Here Paul addresses the people as those who have been joined to the Lord. This has been his manner throughout the epistle. "Unto the churches of Galatia . . .having begun in the Spirit . . . ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus . . . as many of you as have been baptized into Christ . . . because you are sons . . . ye did run well" (Gal 1:2; 3:3,26,27; 4:6; 5:7).
Those who are so described have received the Holy Spirit. This is everywhere affirmed. The Gospel declares that since Jesus has been glorified, the Spirit is given to those who believe (John 7:39). Peter said the promise of the Spirit was given to as many as the Lord called (Acts 2:39). Peter affirmed the Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32). It is clearly stated that the Spirit "is given to us" (Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 5:5; 1 Thess 4:8; 1 John 3:24; 4:13).
Good and sound reasoning is based upon what God has promised and done, and experiences that are common to all believers. The gift of the Holy Spirit falls into that category, and we do well to learn to reason upon the basis of that indispensable experience.
THE WORKS OF THE LAW. Other versions read, "observing the law," NIV "doing the works of the law," NRSV "by legalistic observance of Torah commands," CJB "the principle of works of law," DARBY "by your own efforts to live according to a set of standards," GWN "by the practice of the law," NJB and "as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works . . . observing a law of rituals." AMPLIFIED
Was the Spirit received upon the basis of responding to a requirement? The idea is that of meriting the right to receive the Spirit by obeying a commandment from the law. It is important to remember that the Law given by Moses stands for all moral Law - all regulating of human conduct by means of fulfilling a required work. Are men given commandments that enable them to position themselves for the just reception of the Holy Spirit?
I am astounded at how prevalent this approach is in professing Christendom. I come from a background that was very close to this position - where men were continually told they had received the Holy Spirit when they were baptized, even though there may have been no evidence justifying that conclusion. Remember, we are not dealing with WHEN the Spirit is received, but WHY He is given by God, and received by men. The Galatians had been taught by false Jewish teachers that the Law, and strict adherence to it, was the cause for salvation and all of its attending gifts. This identical approach is found in the current Jewish roots movement.
THE HEARING OF FAITH. Other versions read, "hearing with faith," NASB "believing what you heard," NIV "believing in the message you heard," NJB "believing the message you heard about Christ," NLT "preaching of the faith," TNT "by having faith in Him," CEV "or is it because, when you heard, you believed?" WEYMOUTH
At the root, salvation in its entirety is either because men do or because they believe. As Paul well said, "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith" (Rom 3:27). The conclusion: "a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom 3:28). The reason Paul refers to "the hearing of faith" is simply this: "faith cometh by hearing" (Rom 10:17).
The question is whether the Spirit was received because we obeyed a commandment, or because we believed a message? On the day of Pentecost, the people believed a message that boldly announced that God had promised to pour forth His Spirit. The people believed that promise, and were therefore ready to do whatever was required of them. The Spirit, however, was not given to them because they obeyed, but because they believed. When Jesus spoke of "living waters" flowing out of the belly, John wrote, "this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive" (John 7:38-39). Believing a message - namely that God would give the Spirit to those receiving Christ - is the "the hearing of faith."
BEGINNING AND BEING MADE PERFECT
3:3 "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
ARE YE SO FOOLISH? Other versions read, "Are you that stupid?" CJB "Are you that senseless?" DARBY "Are you so unwise?" TNT "So thoughtless are ye!" YLT"Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly?" AMPLIFIED Lexically, the word "foolish" means "without understanding, foolish, opposite of wise, skillful; senseless." THAYER
There is a line of religious thought that is foolish, and reflects a lack of understanding. However, there is no place for such thinking in Christ Jesus. Further, it is contrary to the very nature of spiritual life to think in such a manner. The Gospel does not promote such thought. The Galatians had accepted a gospel that warped their thinking, causing them to be foolish.
HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT. This is how "newness of life" consistently begins - "in the Spirit." We are "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6,8). Later Paul, will tell the Galatians they were "born after the Spirit," or "according to the Spirit" NKJV (Gal 4:29).
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians of their salvation as being "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thess 2:13). Peter referred to the beginning of new life as being "through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience" (1 Pet 1:2). The work of the Spirit in conversion begins with the conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Sin is seen in its essence as not believing on Christ. Righteousness is seen as being embodied in Christ, totally apart from anything man possesses or develops by nature. Judgment is seen as having been executed upon the devil, whose cause is hopeless (John 16:9-11). The Holy Spirit is then given to those who believe, in order that they might know the things that are freely given to them by God (1 Cor 2:12).
Thus, all spiritual ,life, or "newness of life," is "begun in the Spirit." It is "by the Spirit" that we are "baptized into one body" (1 Cor 12:13). There is a certain dependency that is created by this circumstance. "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6). All of the potential of spiritual life is found in its beginning. No child of God is born deficient, but is given everything pertaining to life and godliness. What must be developed is resident in the new creation,,, which is "unto good works" (Eph 2:10). Having been reconciled to God, we are thus "complete" in Christ (Col 2:10).
ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT. Other versions read, "are you now being perfected," NKJV "are you now trying to attain your goal," NIV "are you now ending," NRSV "will you now be made complete," BBE "trying to finish," NET"will make you a stronger Christian? LIVING The word "perfect" means, "to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete," THAYER and "to bring an activity to a successful finish - to complete, to finish, to end, to accomplish." LOUW-NIDA
The main thing is not to begin spiritual life, but to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. This involves growing up into Christ "in all things" (Eph 4:15). The process is referred to as growing "in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18). Hebrews refers to it as going "on unto perfection" (Heb 6:1). This involves being men in understanding, and not children (1 Cor 14:20). It is realized as, in our faith, we add the virtues that guarantee spiritual productivity and never falling (2 Pet 1:5-8). Jesus referred to it as bringing forth fruit "to perfection" (Lk 8:14).
This refers to spiritual maturity, or growing into spiritual manhood - and it is an absolute necessity. Further, this is not merely a state of understanding, although that is integral to spiritual maturity. Perfection has to do with fruit bearing - being productive toward the lord. Jesus referred to this as bringing forth fruit to perfection (Lk 8:14). Paul affirmed it had to do with walking in the good works for which we have been ordained (Eph 2:10). He also identified it with growing up into Christ and being able to contribute to the edification of the body (Eph 4:13-16). In another place he related it to walking worthy of the Lord and being fruitful in every good work (Col 1:9-10). Peter equated it with being stable (2 Pet 1:5-9). Jude drew attention to keeping ourselves in the love of God, and building ourselves up, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20-21). Paul is calling upon the Galatians to consider how this maturity is to be realized.
BY THE FLESH. Is perfection, spiritual growth, and advancing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord realized by natural means, or the wisdom of men? Is it accomplished by keeping rules - which always apply to the regulation of the body? Are human ordinances and methodologies the means by which spiritual stability and adulthood are realized? Is this done by returning to Jewish ordinances? Are life-disciplines the means?
If we have been freed from vain or non-productive religion, how is it that the objective of being born again is realized by a return to such principles? It should not surprise you that this is precisely the kind of religion that is popular in contemporary Christendom. The "How-to" approach to life is "by the flesh" - for such an approach is antithetical to faith, or believing. No person can access Divine resources by means of a system devised by men.
SUFFERING IN VAIN
3:4 "Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain." Other versions read, "Have you suffered so much for nothing?" NIV "Did you experience so much for nothing?" NRSV
HAVE YE SUFFERED SO MANY THINGS IN VAIN? It is generally conceded that "suffered so many things" refers to persecution and hardship endured because of their initial belief of the Gospel. Some versions represent it as receiving benefits from God Himself (NJB, NLT) - but this is not the case. Acts contains some records of hardships endured by the believers in southern Galatia - but even those references are a bit vague (Acts 14:2,5,19,22). I understand this to refer to the initial assault of the Jewish teachers who eventually bewitched and infected Galatia. These Jews first pursued Paul from city to city, then focusing upon those who received the Gospel that he preached. This is precisely why Paul and Barnabas exhorted the believers in that area saying, "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
FALSE TEACHERS ARE PERSECUTORS. For the child of God, being subjected to false teaching is a form of persecution. At the first, it chaffs against the soul, causing inward pain and confusion. Paul refers to this experience in the sixth chapter. "As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh" (Gal 6:12-13).The fact that pressure was put on the Galatians confirms they resisted the false teaching at the first, else there would have been no need to "compel" NKJV the people to be circumcised.
The Galatians finally yielded to the pressure, but it was not necessary for them to do so. Paul has already declared to them that the Jews could not compel Titus to be circumcised (Gal 2:3). In fact, from the very beginning, they refused to submit to their demands for even a single hour (Gal 2:6). That is, they rejected the attempts of the Jews to bind circumcision upon them. Viewed from the New Covenant perspective, they "resisted" the devil, and he fled from them (James 4:7). The new creation is capable of such resistence, plus the grace of God teaches us to say "NO!" to suggestions that we descend into the domain of the flesh (Tit 2:11-12). While these things are generally perceived as applying to matters of immorality, they also pertain to religious endeavors to draw us into the realm of flesh and blood.
Paul also confirms that those who so conduct themselves are "of the flesh," and have no part in the life that is in Christ Jesus.
When we resist temptations, whether it is obviously the world calling out to us, or Satan under the guise of an angel of light (2 Cor 11:13-14), the power of the adversary is neutralized, while the inner strength of the believer is augmented. It is only when men do not "resist" the devil's encroachments that they begin to sound preferable, and seem to make sense to men. Weakness then increases, while spiritual strength begins to dissipate.
When we live by faith, affliction "worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17). In such a case, investments in a glorified eternity are enhanced, while the world loses the attraction it seems to have. Suffering saints are offered the firm prospect of reigning with Jesus (2 Tim 2:12). It is through their tribulation that they "enter into the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), obtaining its benefits, as well as a noble ranking in heaven.
However, when men succumb to the suffering, eventually falling away because of it, all of the advantages they once gained through their resistence evaporates. We cannot take advantage of heavenly resources, the Lord no longer keeps us from falling, and mercy and grace to help in the time of need are forfeited. This is because yielding to the artifices of the devil moves us into his terrain - and he is invincible in that area because of the spiritual blindness it induces.
IF IT BE YET IN VAIN. Other versions read, "if indeed it was in vain," NKJV "if it really was for nothing," NIV and "if it really is to no purpose and in vain." AMPLIFIED
Here is a note of hope. It is as though Paul has said, "I hope you have not drifted so far that you cannot return to the One you have left." he says this because of the power of the Gospel he preached, which he has been affirming is absolute truth (1:11-2:21). The Gospel IS "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1;16) - and that includes recovery as well as initial conversion (Gal 6:1; Heb 12:13; James 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16).
If the Galatians will return to the one who called them into the grace of Christ, and revenge their disobedience, they will gain advantages from what they have suffered - which included a spiritual setback. It is not that their retrogression itself will profit them, for sin does not have inherent advantages. Rather, the perimeter of their spiritual understanding will be increased if they will come back to the fellowship with Christ into which they were called. They will be less ignorant of Satan's devices. They will be able to assess their former vulnerability like Asaph did his: "So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee" (Psa 73:22). They will also have a better grasp of the magnitude of the love of God, the power of the Gospel, and the marvelous freedom that is promoted by the truth. A powerful plea, indeed!