Galatians 3:5 – “So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?”
Extended Explanation
Paul continues his argument with the Galatians by asking another powerful question. He wants them to think about their own experience with God. Did God give them His Spirit and work miracles because they followed religious laws? Or did these things happen because they believed the gospel?
The answer is clear—God gave them the Holy Spirit and worked miracles among them when they put their faith in Jesus, not because they kept the Jewish law. Paul is pointing out that God’s power in their lives came through faith, not through their own efforts.
By reminding them of this, Paul is urging them to stay on the path of faith. If they started by believing the message of Christ, why would they now think they needed to add religious rules to be fully accepted by God?
Historical Context
The early church saw incredible miracles, signs, and wonders. The Holy Spirit was active, confirming the gospel message through healing, prophecy, and other supernatural works. When Paul preached in Galatia, these new believers experienced God’s power firsthand—not because they followed Jewish customs, but because they trusted in Jesus.
However, false teachers (known as Judaizers) came in after Paul left and convinced the Galatians that faith in Jesus wasn’t enough. They claimed that to be truly right with God, these Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish traditions, like circumcision and dietary laws. This led the Galatians to question whether faith alone was really sufficient.
Paul’s question in this verse is meant to bring them back to the truth: Their own experience with God proves that He responds to faith, not works.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches an essential truth: God’s Spirit is given to believers as a gift of grace, not as a reward for good behavior. No one earns the Holy Spirit by obeying religious laws.
Paul is making it clear that faith is the key to receiving and experiencing God’s presence. The Galatians had already received the Spirit by faith, which meant they were fully accepted by God. The idea that they now needed to follow the law was completely backwards.
This also teaches that miracles and God’s power are not based on human effort. Many people think that if they try hard enough or follow the right religious rules, they can make God move. But Paul reminds us that God works through faith, not legalism.
Literary Analysis
Paul’s use of questions throughout this passage makes his argument more personal. Instead of just telling the Galatians they are wrong, he forces them to think through their own experiences.
The contrast between “works of the law” and “believing what you heard” is central. Paul is showing two completely different ways of approaching God:
- One is based on human effort (trying to earn God’s favor through rules).
- The other is based on faith (trusting what God has already done through Jesus).
Paul’s repetition of “again I ask” shows his frustration but also his determination to make the Galatians see the truth. He is not giving up on them—he is pleading with them to remember what they already know.
Biblical Cross-References
- Acts 10:44-45 – “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” (The Spirit was given to Gentiles through faith, not through following Jewish law.)
- Romans 8:9 – “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (The presence of the Holy Spirit is the mark of a true believer.)
- Ephesians 1:13-14 – “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (The Spirit is received through faith in Christ.)
- John 14:16-17 – “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him.)
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
Many believers today struggle with the same issue as the Galatians. It’s easy to think that God’s favor is something we have to earn. Some people believe that if they follow certain religious practices or live a good enough life, God will bless them more. But Paul’s question reminds us that everything we receive from God—including His Spirit and His power—comes by faith, not by human effort.
This also applies to how we experience spiritual growth. Many Christians start by trusting Jesus but then try to grow in their faith by relying on their own strength. Paul’s words remind us that we don’t just start by faith—we continue by faith. The Christian life is not about trying harder but about trusting deeper.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in the fact that He gives His Spirit freely to those who believe. He doesn’t demand that people reach a certain level of obedience before accepting them. Instead, He pours out His Spirit the moment someone puts their faith in Jesus.
This shows that God’s relationship with His people is based on grace. He doesn’t wait for us to become perfect before working in our lives. He meets us where we are and fills us with His Spirit the moment we believe.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects directly to Jesus because He is the reason we receive the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift that comes because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. The Galatians had received the Spirit when they believed in Jesus—not when they followed religious laws.
- John 7:38-39 – “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (The Spirit is given to those who believe in Jesus.)
- Galatians 4:6 – “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (The Spirit confirms our relationship with God through Christ.)
- Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Salvation and renewal come by God’s mercy, not by works.)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Paul keeps asking the Galatians questions instead of just telling them what to do?
- How does this verse challenge the idea that we need to “earn” God’s favor?
- Have you ever struggled with thinking that God’s blessings depend on your own efforts? How does this verse bring freedom?
- What does it mean to live by faith instead of trying to please God through works?
- How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit in your daily life instead of depending on your own strength?