Paul asks whether they received the Spirit by “works of the law” or by “hearing with faith.” He treats their experience as evidence that God supplied the Spirit and worked miracles among them by faith, not law-works (Galatians 3:2–5).
In Galatians 3:1–5 Paul sharply questions the Galatians about how their community life with God actually began. He says they were shown a clear public presentation of Jesus as crucified, yet they are acting as if they have been misled. This unit follows Paul’s earlier argument that his message did not come from human approval and that his public stance was consistent when disputes arose (Galatians 1–2).
Paul’s main move in Galatians 3:1–5 is to force a reality check: their life with God did not start with “works of the law,” but with receiving the Spirit as they heard the message about Jesus crucified and responded with trust (verses 1–2).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Galatians 3:2-5, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
2I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?
4Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?
5He therefore that supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?