Faith and Belief
Paul asks how the Galatians can turn from the crucified Christ so soon after receiving the Spirit by hearing with faith. Their own beginning, their present experience, and God's work among them all point the same way: what started by the Spirit cannot now be completed by the flesh.
O1 foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? 3Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
Paul then turns to Abraham, who believed God and was counted righteous, and says that those of faith are his true children. Scripture itself foresaw that Gentiles would be justified by faith, so those who believe are blessed together with Abraham, the man of faith.
6So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.