3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ga 3:2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Questions are invaluable to a teacher. The great philosopher Socrates developed his teaching method around asking open-ended questions, which is a method that was modeled by Christ and by Paul. Here in 3:2, Paul asked a critically important question. Essentially he is asking, “Do you remember the time when you asked Jesus into your heart”?
For any of us who have asked or been asked that question, we can understand its significance. That asnwer that follows tell us first if a person is a believer or not, and second, it informs us of their personal theology. One’s response to that question helps us determine if they understand that salvation is by faith through Christ alone, or if they believe their actions are required as works to earn the favor of God.
The implied answer of “faith” is clearly what the Galatians knew and had experienced. Having received the Gospel through the sound preaching of Paul, the message of salvation by faith was clear. Unfortuanately, due to false teachers this questions was raised to aid them in returning to their base, which was rooted in the obligation to fulfill the Jewish tradition of the Law.
By way of application, we can learn the value of asking questions regarding faith. This simple and genuine interest in listening to someone discuss eternal matters is essential in the fulfillment of our Gospel mandate to reach the nations.
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