The Hearing of Faith

Galatians 3:2 “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

The most valuable, required but undeserved gift to mankind is the Holy Spirit. Paul uses this statement to Galatians explaining that hearing of faith that brought us the gift. The hearing of faith is different from faith itself. In original texts we can also read that as the report of faith. The above verse speaks about this receipt in our perspective. We can read this again in verse 5 where it is seen in God’s perspective. God gave this by the report of faith and we received this by the report of faith.

The receipt of faith happened when we heard the faith of Jesus. His faith was demonstrated in the cross (verse 1). He had complete faith in the Father for the salvation of Mankind and gave Himself. If this salvation was only a chance or probability then there is no faith there. We read this clearly in Hebrews 12:2. Jesus has defined what faith is by submitting Himself to suffering. This faith is ultimate and takes risks at whatever size.

All we did was hear this faith and we were given the gift of Holy Spirit. God understands that we are weak to display this enormous faithfulness and gives us the strength just when we hear the faith that was demonstrated. How marvelous is the love of God who gives us Himself just because we had heard Him. It is always a pleasure when we compare God’s view on us before and after Christ. Earlier, we were expected to obey God. But after Christ has come, God’s only expectation on us is faith. CH Spurgeon says that faith is the easiest thing for a man to perform because is just depending of God and progressing. But corruption has made this simple task a hard one. So, it required Jesus to show and teach what real faith is.

In Mathew 13:13 we further read that everybody heard but that was not actual hearing. In Galatians 3:2 we read as “the hearing” which points not to just hearing like them but hearing with the heart as in Mathew 13:15. This is the expectation of Christ. If we had heard the message of the cross from our hearts, then we shall receive the Holy Spirit. The apostles were given instructions to wait for the comforter and they did wait for 10 days. This was hearing.

Based on Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The bible says that actual hearing comes only when the word of God is spoken. In Greek, it is written as word of Christ which is the gospel. An understanding of hearing can be found in Mathew 10:14 which means that we respect and hear with a motive to learn.

In Mathew 11:15 and 13:9 when emphasizing a message to people, Jesus says that “he who has ears to hear, let him hear”. If somebody has ears which are meant to hear, that is who is willing to hear the word will hear. After the arrival of Christ, God has given his perfect requirement list in souls. Earlier it was strength, obedience, charity etc. Now, God looks for love, humility, repentance and will. This willing is to submit to all extents so that God’s name is glorified.

We should also read that “let him hear” in detail. This is an expectation God has with us without any divine intervention. Hearing is something we have to initiate and build in us. When we hear God with a humble heart, with a longing for salvation we are glorified.

Back to Galatians 3:5, now it is God who works miracles in us by the hearing of faith. God sees that our faith is heard. The hearing also has a meaning as “report”. The next verse confirms that this faith was accounted as righteousness. God, after hearing our faith gives us the Holy Spirit and works miracles in us. The Holy Spirit and miracles in us closely inter related events.  

Also, we can see the series of salvation in these verses. First we hear from our heart about the faithful love of Christ. Next, we start in the Spirit and the Spirit elevates our faith. Then God hears our faith and then works miracles in us. The “in us” is important which shows that we would miraculously live in holiness.