Galatians 3:4-6

Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing?

(v4, NIV)

Those at the church in Galatia probably had suffered. Maybe individually or maybe as a group there was suffering. The suffering was probably linked to their supposed following Jesus. However, if it isn't really Jesus who they are following, then their suffering was for nothing. If they are trying to attain salvation through the law, then they simply don't get it. However, we don't know and Paul doesn't know whether they truly are saved or not. The ending question to this verse seems to point that there is a possibility that it was for nothing and there is a possibility that it wasn't for nothing.

Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

(v5, NIV)

Paul asked previously if it was by faith or by works that the Spirit was given. He also brought up the point that they began in the Spirit, making their current walking in the flesh seem somewhat counter-intuitive. This verse 5 is similar to in verse 2 when Paul asks whether they received the Spirit by works or by faith. However, the focus is not only on us who receive, but he who gives. Why or how does he give it to us? Does he give it to us by faith or by works?

Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

(v6, NIV)

Remember, Paul is particularly speaking against Jewish Christians. These Jewish Christians should know the Old Testament and know about Abraham. Paul uses Abraham and shows them that even Abraham was not on this works method, but on the faith method. Abraham himself believed, and thus he did not attain justification by works.