2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
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Cross-References
From the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? …
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, …
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
He 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?
Commentary
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible (1710)
(vv. 1-5)The apostle is here dealing with those who, having embraced the faith of Christ, still continued to seek for justification by the works of the law; that is, who depended upon their own obedience to the moral precepts as their righteousness before God, and, wherein that was defective, had recourse to the legal sacrifices and purifications to make it up. These he first sharply reproves, and then end…
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