Introduction
If we investigate the worlds systems of belief related to salvation we will find they divide into three groups. First, you will find the belief of works alone for salvation. Secondly, you will find the belief of works combined with faith for salvation. Thirdly, you will find the belief of salvation by faith alone. Of course biblical Christianity, and the lesson title firmly rest in the third category.
 

1. Saved By Faith . . Attacked. v 1
    v 1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was
publicly portrayed as crucified?

Paul called these Galatians "foolish" and asked who bewitched them. This came in response to false doctrine. All false doctrine is bewitching but such doctrine in matters of salvation greatly concerned Paul. He expressed amazement about their treatment of the crucifixion. Does it concern us?

These people were bewitched, and Paul was bothered. He questioned how they received the
Spirit. A side issue exist as he expected them to have receive the Spirit when they expressed
faith. Some wrongly say you get the Spirit in a second work of grace. Paul used the
suffering of the early Christian to illustrate the values of salvation through faith.

Paul expressed bewilderment, and called them to evaluate the miracles. Did they occur by
faith or the law? Here the purpose of God contrast with the works of man. Seems I
remember blasphemy of the Holy Spirit happening when the work of the Spirit becomes
ascribed to the activity of men.

A.    The . . Bewitching Attack by False Doctrine. v 1 a
    "You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

        1.    An . . Unwise and Bewitching Attack.
                "You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you,. . .
            a. Foolish: NT:453 anoetos (an-o'-ay-tos); from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of
                NT:3539; unintelligent; by implication, sensual: KJV - fool (-ish), unwise.

            b. Paul used the term to describe some of his actions before Christ changed his life.
                Titus 3:3 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to
                various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

            c.    Bewitch: 940 baskaino (bas-kah'-ee-no);
                    akin to 5335; to malign, i.e. (by extension) to fascinate (by false representations):
 

        2.    An . . Unmindful and Bewitching Attack. v 1 b
                ". . . before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

            a. How could they know of Christ Crucifixion and then accept false doctrine?
 

B. The . . Bothering Attack of False Doctrine . v 2-3
    2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of
the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain -- if indeed it was in vain?
 

        1.    Bothering about Doctrine and the . . Spirit. Vs 2-3
            v 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works
                of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are
                you now being perfected by the flesh?
 

        2.    Bothering about Discernment and . . Suffering. v 4
            v 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain -- if indeed it was in vain?
 

C.    The . . Bewildering Attack of False Doctrine.
    5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

        1.    Bewildering about the . . Provision of God. v 5 a
            "So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, . . . "
            a. This verse affirms the supply of the Spirit at Salvation.

        2.    Bewildering about the . . Purpose of God. v 5 b
            ". . . do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? "

            a. Why does God do things this way?   Phil 2:13
                    "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
 

2.    Saved By Faith . . Affirmed. v 6 - 14
        6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS
RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM." 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us -- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE" -- 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    The Bible affirms Salvation by faith in the life of Abraham. He is a sure example as his
    spiritual sons are sons of faith. He serves as a scriptural example as the gospel was preached
    to him "saying all the nations shall be blessed in you." Would you call that the gospel?
    Further understanding causes us to realize the blessing of Abraham happens because of Jesus.
    Have you ever focused on this phrase of scripture: "those who are of faith are blessed with
    Abraham,. . . . " We have a simultaneous blessing with our old friend Abraham. Why?
    Because we are both saved by faith. This portion of scripture answers the question, "how did
    people in the Old Testament get saved. Abraham, and all receive salvation by faith.

    Paul presented further arguments for faith as he spoke of the curse, clarity. and contrast of the
    law. He makes it clear if one can be saved by the law they must be perfect. We know no
    one can be perfect. Jesus became a curse for us so the curse of the law does not hindered our
    obtaining salvation.

A.    Affirmed in Biblical . . Abraham.
        1.    Affirmed in Abraham As A . . Sure Example. Vs. 6-7
            6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
            7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

        2.    Affirmed in Abraham As A . . Scriptural Example. v 8
            8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the
            gospel beforehand to Abraham, {saying} "All the nations shall be blessed in you."

        3.    Affirmed in Abraham As A . . Simultaneous Example. v 9
            9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

B.    Affirmed in Biblical . . Argument. Vs. 10-14
    10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them."  11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who practices them shall live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"-- 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

        1.    The Argument from the . . Curse of the Law. v 10
            10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is
            everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them."

        2.    The Argument from the . . Clarity of the Law. v 11
            11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man
            shall live by faith."

        3.    The Argument from the . . Contrast of the Law. Vs. 12-13
            12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who practices them shall live by
            them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is
            written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"--

        4.    The Argument from the . . Coming of the Spirit. v 14
            14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we
            might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    Paul finalizes his arguments with truth about receiving the Holy Spirit. God chose to give His
    Spirit to all who believe. Jesus said in, Luke 11:13 "If you then, though you are evil, know
    how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the
    Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" This gift of the Holy Spirit, is just that "a gift." The Spirit
    affirms we are saved by faith! Amen? Amen!