Gálatas 3:3, Gálatas 3:4 RVA

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 3:2-4

Galatians 3:2-4. This only would I learn of you That is, this one argument might convince you; received ye the Spirit In his gifts and graces, in his witness and fruits. See Galatians 4:6; Galatians 5:22. By the works of the law By your observing the ceremonies of Moses’s law, or by your embracing the doctrine which inculcates the necessity of complying with these rites? or by the hearing of faith By receiving and obeying that doctrine, which teaches that justification is attained by... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:1-5

3:1-4:31 LAW-KEEPING HAS NO PLACE IN THE GOSPELExperience of the Galatians (3:1-5)When the Galatians first heard the gospel from Paul, they understood clearly that salvation was based solely on Christ’s death, and they gladly received it by faith. Now, because they have fallen under the power of the Judaisers, they have turned from this gospel and are trying to live according to the law (3:1-2). If the almighty power of God’s Spirit was necessary to save them from the penalty of sin, how do... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Galatians 3:3

begun . Greek. enarchomai . Here and Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:6 . made perfect = being perfected. Greek. epiteleo . App-125 . See 2 Corinthians 7:1 . by = in. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Galatians 3:3

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?In the Spirit ... in the flesh ... is another way of contrasting Judaism and Christianity, "the Spirit" being the endowment of all Christians, and "fleshly descent" being the total basis of Jewish confidence. But the constant manipulation of every text in the New Testament to fit the "faith only" notion must be maintained: "They received the Spirit by faith,"[11] as one declared, despite the fact that faith is not... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Galatians 3:3

Galatians 3:3. Are ye so foolish, &c.— "Having then set out so happily and hopefully in your Christian course, under the light and influence of the Spirit, with faith in Christ for divine acceptance, according to the tenor of the gospel; how surprisingly stupid and irrational is it for any one of you to imagine that your justification is to be completed by your obedience to the law of Moses, which may be termed flesh, in opposition to the gospel, as it is destitute of the Spirit (see 2... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:3

3. begun—the Christian life (Philippians 1:6). in the Spirit—Not merely was Christ crucified "graphically set forth" in my preaching, but also "the Spirit" confirmed the word preached, by imparting His spiritual gifts. "Having thus begun" with the receiving His spiritual gifts, "are ye now being made perfect" (so the Greek), that is, are ye seeking to be made perfect with "fleshly" ordinances of the law? [ESTIUS]. Compare Romans 2:28; Philippians 3:3; Hebrews 9:10. Having begun in the Spirit,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 3:1-5

1. The experiential argument 3:1-5The apostle began to apply the principle stated in Galatians 2:15-21 to his audience. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 3:3

Question 2: How is God sanctifying you? Their justification had been a work of the Holy Spirit in response to believing faith. Likewise their sanctification was also a work of the Holy Spirit in response to believing faith. The idea that keeping the Mosaic Law will somehow help the Holy Spirit is a fallacy that persists to our day."The Judaizers in Galatia, it seems, claimed not to be opposing Paul but to be supplementing his message, and so to be bringing his converts to perfection . . ."... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:1-29

Justification is by Faith, not Works1-14. The Apostle upbraids the Galatians with their speedy change from faith to legal observances, reminding them of the fact that their reception of the Spirit had not been through the works of the Law, but through faith, and appealing both to the testimony of their own consciences and to the teaching of sacred history in the parallel case of Abraham.Paraphrase. ’(1) You thoughtless Galatians have surely been bewitched. I told you plainly of Christ dying for... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 3:1-5

III.(1-5) Whence this strange relapse? It is not as if you were ignorant of better things. The crucified Saviour, the one great object of faith, has been preached before you in a way too plain to be mistaken. It has been written, as it were, in large characters before your eyes. It could only be some kind of evil enchantment or fascination that has prevented you from looking upon it. You have given up Christ and gone back to the Law. Yet, let me ask you—and surely no other proof is needed—all... read more