Galatians 3:5–9 — Abraham’s Faith and the Blessing of All Nations
Paul connects the Galatians’ reception of the Spirit with Abraham’s faith. His central message is that God’s promised blessing is received through faith, and people from every nation share in that blessing through Christ. The Galatians had received the gospel of Christ and experienced the work of the Holy Spirit. They were subsequently being pressed toward circumcision and observance of the Mosaic law as necessary for their standing within God’s people. Paul asks them to consider how their life in Christ began: “Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” — Galatians 3:2, KJV He then turns to Abraham. The promise given to Abraham preceded the law given through Moses. Paul argues that the Gentiles’ inclusion through faith fulfills God’s earlier purpose rather than introducing a separate way of salvation. Verse 5 — The Spirit is God’s gift Does the One who gives you the Spirit and performs mighty works for you do so through performing the laws of the Tor...