Passage

How did they receive the Spirit?

Source and translation

World English Bible, Protestant Edition · Public domain · en

View source

²I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:2World English Bible, Protestant Edition

The scene

Paul asks the Galatians whether they received the Spirit through works of the law or through hearing with faith.

To understand

He follows this question by asking about beginning in the Spirit and being completed in the flesh. The argument sends the recipients back to how their life in the Spirit began.

A question

Why does Paul ask about receiving the Spirit before asking about being completed?