Galatians 3:5
What does Galatians 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:5 means
Paul points to the ongoing supply of the Spirit and miracles among the Galatians as living proof. Do these works of God occur because they meet legal requirements, or because they believe the gospel they heard? The answer is self-evident: God acts in response to faith in Christ, not in payment for law-keeping. This reinforces that the Christian life depends on God’s generous provision, not human merit. The Spirit is not a reward for religious performance but a gift that comes through trusting what God has done in Jesus. Their present spiritual vitality confirms the principle that began their Christian life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
KJV
King James Version · 1611He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who gives you the Spirit, and does works of power among you, is it by the works of law, or by the hearing of faith?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He, therefore, who is supplying to you the Spirit, and working mighty acts among you--by works of law or by the hearing of faith <FI>is it<Fi> ?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He therefore who ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [is it] on the principle of works of law, or of [the] report of faith?
Context
Verses 2–5 form a cluster of rhetorical questions about the Galatians’ experience—past reception of the Spirit, the folly of turning to the flesh, the meaning of their sufferings, and the ongoing evidences of God’s power. With this groundwork laid, Paul turns to the Scriptures to show the same pattern in the life of Abraham (verses 6–9). He will argue that the blessing of righteousness comes through faith, while those who rely on the law fall under a curse (verses 10–12). Then he will declare that Christ redeemed us from that curse (verses 13–14).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 3:8
how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?
- Acts 19:11
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
- 1 Corinthians 12:10
and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:
- 2 Corinthians 13:3
seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:
- Romans 15:19
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;
- 1 Corinthians 1:4
I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
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