Galatians 3:2 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:1-5

The apostle is here dealing with those who, having embraced the faith of Christ, still continued to seek for justification by the works of the law; that is, who depended upon their own obedience to the moral precepts as their righteousness before God, and, wherein that was defective, had recourse to the legal sacrifices and purifications to make it up. These he first sharply reproves, and then endeavours, by the evidence of truth, to convince them. This is the right method, when we reprove any... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:1-9

3:1-9 O senseless Galatians, who has put the evil eye on you--you before whose very eyes Jesus Christ was placarded upon his Cross? Tell me this one thing--did you receive the Spirit by doing the works the law lays down, or because you listened and believed? Are you so senseless? After beginning your experience of God in the Spirit, are you now going to try to complete it by making it dependent upon what human nature can do? Is the tremendous experience you had all for nothing--if indeed you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:2

This one thing would I learn of you ,.... Though there were many things he could have put to them, yet he would only ask this one question, which, if rightly attended to, and honestly answered, must expose their folly, and put an end to the controversy upon this head: received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith ? This question supposes they had received the Spirit; that is, the Spirit of God, as a spirit of wisdom and knowledge in the revelation of Christ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:2

Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law - This may refer to the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, which were very common in the apostolic Church. Did ye receive these extraordinary gifts in consequence of your circumcision, and observing the Mosaic precepts? or was it by the hearing of the Gospel, prescribing faith in Christ crucified? It may also refer to the spirit of adoption, and consequently to their sonship. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:2

Verse 2 2.This one I wish to learn from you. He now proceeds to support his cause by additional arguments. The first is drawn from their experience, for he reminds them in what manner the gospel was introduced among themselves. When they heard the gospel, they received the Spirit. It was not to the law, therefore, but to faith, that they owed the reception of this benefit. This same argument is employed by Peter in the defense which he makes to his brethren for having baptized uncircumcised... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:1-14

The bewitchery of Law. Paul, having stated his position as dead to the Law and inspired by Christ, goes on in the present paragraph to appeal to the Galatians to free themselves from the bewitching power of Law, and to yield themselves to the faith in a crucified and now risen Christ, which alone secures justification and its cognate blessings. And here we notice— I. HOW LAW CAN COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY WITH A CRUCIFIED SAVIOUR FOR THE HOMAGE OF THOUGHTLESS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:1-14

Appeal to experience and Scripture. I. FOOLISHNESS OF THE GALATIANS SHOWN FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE . 1 . Expression of astonishment in view o f their first impressions of the cross. "O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?" Paul's address to Peter concluded with his presenting the dreadful supposition of Christ having died for nought. He with that turns to the Galatians, and calls to their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:2

This only would I learn of you ( τοῦτο μόνον θέλω μαθεῖν ἀφ ὑμῶν ); this only would I learn from you. I need ask for nothing more to show that the Law is nothing to you, than that you should tell me this. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law? ( ἐξ ἔργων νόμου τὸ πνεῦμα ἐλάβετε ;); was it in consequence of works of the Law that ye received the Spirit ? I came amongst you as an apostle, preaching the gospel, and upon your baptism laying my hands upon you;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:2-5

The apostle's first argument in this controversy. I. APPLICATION OF THE TEST OF EXPERIENCE . "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?" He begins by a practical test, which can be easily settled by experience and history. He refers to the time of awakening grace and first love. They had "received the Spirit." 1 . He concedes that they were Christians , though they were neither faithful, nor stable, nor sound. "The Holy Spirit is the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:2

This only would I learn of you - I would ask this of you; retaining still the language of severe reproof. The design here, and in the following verses, is, to prove to them that the views which they had at first embraced were correct, and that the views which they now cherished were false To show them this, he asks them the simple question, by what means they had obtained the exalted privileges which they enjoyed? Whether they had obtained them by the simple gospel, or whether by the observance... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:1-5

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:2-5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:2

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