John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit , etc..] By whom he means not himself, nor any other minister of the Gospel, in whose power it does not lie to minister the Spirit, either the ordinary or the extraordinary gifts of it unto men; but either God or Christ who had ministered, and still continued to minister the grace of the Spirit through the preaching of the Gospel; or rather the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, which were manifested at the first preaching of the Gospel to them for the confirmation of it, and which they were still supplied with, as the following words show: and worketh miracles among you ; so that this is a distinct argument from that in ( Galatians 3:2) and a further proof and aggravation of the folly and stupidity of the members of this church, who had not only received through the Gospel the Spirit, as a spirit of regeneration, at least many of them, but had seen the Gospel confirmed by the extraordinary gifts, signs, and wonders of the Holy Ghost, and which were still among them; and yet they were departing from this Gospel, through which all this was done: for it is asked, doth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith ? and the apostle's meaning is, that these extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, and these miracles done among them, did not attend the preaching of the law, or the doctrine of justification by works, taught by the false apostles, but the doctrine of faith, of justification by faith in the righteousness of Christ, delivered by him and others, for the truth of which he appeals to themselves; and therefore they must be guilty of the most egregious folly, once to think of, or take anyone step towards a departure from that doctrine. The Alexandrian copy reads here, as in ( Galatians 3:2), received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Several things made the folly of the Galatian Christians worse. The had the doctrine of the cross preached, and the Lord's suppe administered among them, in both which Christ crucified, and the natur of his sufferings, had been fully and clearly set forth. Had they bee made partakers of the Holy Spirit, by the ministration of the law, or on account of any works done by them in obedience thereto? Was it no by their hearing and embracing the doctrine of faith in Christ alon for justification? Which of these had God owned with tokens of his favour and acceptance? It was not by the first, but the last. And thos must be very unwise, who suffer themselves to be turned away from the ministry and doctrine which have been blessed to their spiritual advantage. Alas, that men should turn from the all-important doctrin of Christ crucified, to listen to useless distinctions, mere mora preaching, or wild fancies! The god of this world, by various men an means, has blinded men's eyes, lest they should learn to trust in crucified Saviour. We may boldly demand where the fruits of the Holy Spirit are most evidently brought forth? whether among those who preac justification by the works of the law, or those who preach the doctrin of faith? Assuredly among the latter.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM ουν 3767 CONJ επιχορηγων 2023 5723 V-PAP-NSM υμιν 5213 P-2DP το 3588 T-ASN πνευμα 4151 N-ASN και 2532 CONJ ενεργων 1754 5723 V-PAP-NSM δυναμεις 1411 N-APF εν 1722 PREP υμιν 5213 P-2DP εξ 1537 PREP εργων 2041 N-GPN νομου 3551 N-GSM η 2228 PRT εξ 1537 PREP ακοης 189 N-GSF πιστεως 4102 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. Therefore (oun). Resumes the thought of verse 2 (lv. 3, 4 being, practically, parenthetical), in order to adduce the example of Abraham as a proof of justification by faith. The thought of verse 2 is further emphasized. The gift of the Spirit, and the bestowment of miraculous powers, is a purely divine operation in believers, which is not merited by legal works, but can be received and experienced only through the message of faith.He that ministereth (o epicorhgwn). Or supplieth. See 2 Corinthians ix. 10; Col. ii. 19; 2 Pet. i. 5. The idea of abundant supply (Lightfoot), if conveyed at all, resides, not in the preposition ejpi, which indicates direction, but in the simple verb, which is used of abundant, liberal supply. He that ministereth is God.
Worketh (energwn). See on 1 Thess. ii. 13.
Miracles (dunameiv). See on Matt. xi. 20. Either miracles, as Mark vi. 2; 1 Cor. xii. 10, or miraculous powers, as 1 Cor. xii. 6; Philip. ii. 13; Eph. ii. 2. The analogy of these latter passages favors the second meaning.
Among you (en umin). So, if dunameiv is explained as miracles. If miraculous powers, render in you.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:5 {Supplieth} (epicoregwn). It is God. See on 2Co 9:10 for this present active participle. Cf. #Php 1:19; 2Pe 1:5. {Worketh miracles} (energwn dunameis). On the word energew see #1Th 2:13; 1Co 12:6. It is a great word for God's activities (#Php 2:13). "In you" (Lightfoot) is preferable to "among you" for en humin (#1Co 13:10; Mt 14:2). The principal verb for "doeth he it" (poiei) is not expressed. Paul repeats the contrast in verse #2 about "works of the law" and "the hearing of faith."
