Spirit

Galatians 3:1-2,10 - You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?... All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

John 20:22 - And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 2:16 - "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Conclusions:

• The Galatians were not mentally deficient but simply failed to use their powers of perception
• Legalistic Judaizers had bewitched the Galatians
• Portrayed as crucified means to publicly portray or placard as crucified like the bronze snake that Moses displayed on a pole
• From Galatians 3:2 on Paul refers to the Holy Spirit 16 times
• Receive the Holy Spirit anticipates what happens 50 days later on the day of Pentecost
• The disciples needed God’s help to carry out the commission they had just been given
• Rely on observing the law is a reference to legalists—those who refuse God’s offer of grace and insist on pursuing righteousness through works
• No one under the law ever perfectly kept the law because they are under a curse
• God’s blessing has never been earned, but has always been freely given
• Galatians 2:16 is a key verse
• Three times Galatians 2:16 tells us that no one is justified by observing the law, and three times it underscores the indispensable requirement of placing one’s faith in Christ
• Paul is not depreciating the law itself, for he clearly maintained that God’s law is holy, righteous and good
• Paul is arguing against an illegitimate use of the Old Testament law that made the observance of that law the grounds of acceptance with God
• Justified by faith is the essence of the gospel message
• Faith is the means by which justification is received, not its basis

Application:

• Has God helped you to carry out the commission you have been given?
• Are you relying on observing the law?
• Have you put your faith in Christ Jesus?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible