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After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/3-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/3-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/3-2.htm" title="Galatians 3:2">◄</a> Galatians 3:3 <a href="/galatians/3-4.htm" title="Galatians 3:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun in <i>the</i> Spirit, are you now being perfected in <i>the</i> flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish <i>and</i> senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected <i>and</i> reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How can you be so stupid? Do you think that by yourself you can complete what God's Spirit started in you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Are you that stupid? Did you begin in a spiritual way only to end up doing things in a human way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can you be so foolish! You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having started out with the Spirit, are you now ending up with the flesh? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now going to reach perfection through what is external?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Are you so thoughtless? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now end in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun in <i>the</i> Spirit, are you now being perfected in <i>the</i> flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> so thoughtless are ye! having begun in the Spirit, now in the flesh do ye end?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Are ye so unwise? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now completed in the flesh?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish, that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Are you so foolish that, though you began with the Spirit, you would now end with the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Are you so foolish, after having begun with spiritual things to end now with things of the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Are you so foolish that you began in The Spirit and now you finish in the flesh?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Are you so thoughtless? After having begun in Spirit, do you make an end in flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Are ye so senseless? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />have you so little understanding, as having begun in the spiritual doctrine of the gospel, to turn again to the law?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now going to reach perfection through what is external?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Are ye so foolish? Having begun in <i>the</i> Spirit, are ye now being made perfect in <i>the</i> flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Are ye so void of understanding? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/3-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=445" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Faith and Belief</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">Are you</a> <a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: Houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">so</a> <a href="/greek/453.htm" title="453: anoētoi (Adj-NMP) -- Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.">foolish?</a> <a href="/greek/1728.htm" title="1728: enarxamenoi (V-APM-NMP) -- To begin (in), make a beginning, commence. From en and archomai; to commence on.">After starting</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumati (N-DNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">in the Spirit,</a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate."></a> <a href="/greek/2005.htm" title="2005: epiteleisthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- To complete, accomplish, perfect. From epi and teleo; to fulfill further, i.e. Execute; by implication, to terminate, undergo.">are you now finishing</a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarki (N-DFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">in the flesh?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">4</span>Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9</a></span><br />You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a></span><br />being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-6.htm">Colossians 2:6</a></span><br />Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a></span><br />Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1-5</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1-4</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? / Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? / Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a></span><br />Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a></span><br />For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-19.htm">Hebrews 7:19</a></span><br />(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a></span><br />Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-63.htm">John 6:63</a></span><br />The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a></span><br />For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a></span><br />Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Romans 7:5-6</a></span><br />For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death. / But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?</p><p class="hdg">having.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7-10</a></b></br> Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4-8</a></b></br> Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">Galatians 6:12-14</a></b></br> As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Attain</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-6.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-10.htm">Begun</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-11.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/romans/15-28.htm">Completed</a> <a href="/romans/14-19.htm">Effort</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">End</a> <a href="/luke/9-12.htm">Ending</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">External</a> <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-9.htm">Goal</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Human</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-11.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-11.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-11.htm">Perfection</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-14.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/romans/1-31.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/galatians/3-2.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-10.htm">Start</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Thoughtless</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/3-19.htm">Attain</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-9.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Begun</a> <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-17.htm">Completed</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-3.htm">Effort</a> <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">End</a> <a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">Ending</a> <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">External</a> <a href="/galatians/4-13.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/philippians/3-14.htm">Goal</a> <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Human</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-9.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/philippians/3-12.htm">Perfection</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/galatians/3-5.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-14.htm">Start</a> <a href="/numbers/30-8.htm">Thoughtless</a> <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Those who believe are justified,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-9.htm">and blessed with Abraham.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">And this he shows by many reasons.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">The purpose of the Law</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">You are sons of God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Are you so foolish?</b><br>Paul's rhetorical question challenges the Galatians' understanding and discernment. In biblical context, "foolish" often refers to a lack of spiritual insight or wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). The Galatians had been influenced by Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation, which Paul saw as a regression from the truth of the Gospel. This echoes Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees for their spiritual blindness (<a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17</a>).<p><b>After starting in the Spirit,</b><br>The "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit, who initiates the believer's journey of faith. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that salvation begins with the work of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/john/3-5.htm">John 3:5-6</a>). The Galatians had experienced the Spirit's power and presence, as seen in the miraculous works among them (<a href="/galatians/3-5.htm">Galatians 3:5</a>). This phrase underscores the transformative power of the Spirit in the believer's life, contrasting with the works of the law.<p><b>are you now finishing in the flesh?</b><br>"Finishing in the flesh" suggests a reliance on human effort rather than divine grace. In biblical terms, "flesh" often symbolizes human weakness and sinfulness (<a href="/romans/8-8.htm">Romans 8:8</a>). The Galatians were attempting to achieve spiritual maturity through adherence to the law, which Paul argues is futile. This reflects the broader biblical theme that righteousness and sanctification come through faith and the Spirit, not through human effort (<a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a>, <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3-4</a>). The contrast between "Spirit" and "flesh" is a recurring theme in Paul's letters, emphasizing the new covenant of grace over the old covenant of law.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in Galatia with a corrective message.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia who were being influenced by Judaizers to follow the Mosaic Law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a></b><br>A group of individuals who taught that Christian converts must adhere to certain Jewish laws, including circumcision, to be truly saved.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/holy_spirit.htm">Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The third person of the Trinity, who initiates and sustains the believer's spiritual life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/flesh.htm">Flesh</a></b><br>In this context, it refers to human effort and reliance on the law for salvation, as opposed to reliance on the Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_legalism.htm">The Danger of Legalism</a></b><br>Legalism shifts focus from faith in Christ to human efforts and adherence to the law. This undermines the work of the Spirit and the grace of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Christian life begins and is sustained by the Holy Spirit. Believers must rely on the Spirit for growth and sanctification, not on their own strength or adherence to the law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_maturity.htm">Spiritual Maturity</a></b><br>True spiritual maturity is marked by continued reliance on the Spirit. Attempting to achieve spiritual growth through human effort is futile and contrary to the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_works.htm">Faith and Works</a></b><br>While good works are a natural outflow of faith, they are not the means of salvation. Believers are called to live by faith, trusting in the Spirit's work within them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_deception.htm">Guarding Against Deception</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant against teachings that add to the gospel or shift focus from Christ to human efforts. The truth of the gospel is that salvation is by grace through faith alone.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_works_of_the_flesh.htm">What are the works of the flesh?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_natural_man.htm">Who is the natural man?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_some_christians_unkind.htm">Why do some Christians behave unkindly?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_handle_negativity.htm">What does the Bible say about handling negativity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Foolish.</span>--See the Note on <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm" title="O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?">Galatians 3:1</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Having begun in the Spirit.</span>--Begun your career as Christians in a manner so entirely spiritual--with the spiritual act of faith on your part, and with an answering gift of spiritual graces and powers.<p><span class= "bld">Made perfect by the flesh.</span>--Do you wish to finish and complete the career thus auspiciously begun under a system of things entirely different--a system carnal and material, narrow, slavish, and literal--the Law in place of the Gospel? By "the flesh" is here meant the Law, which, though described as spiritual in Horn. vii. 14, and though it really was spiritual in view of its origin, in another aspect--as imposing a system of literal obedience upon its adherents--was carnal, "earthly," rigid, petty, and low. It had none of that sublime expansiveness and aspiration which belongs to faith. It was a grievous reversing of the whole order of progress--to begin with faith, and, instead of completing with faith that which faith had begun, to fall back upon a condition of things which was shared with the Christian by the unemancipated Jew.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?</span> (<span class="greek">οὕτως ἀνόητοί ἐστε ἐναρξάμενοι</span>, <span class="greek">πνεύματι νῦν σαρκὶ ἐπιτελεῖσθε</span>); <span class="accented">are ye so foolish</span>? <span class="accented">having begun with the Spirit</span>, <span class="accented">are ye now finishing with the flesh</span>? <span class="greek">Πνεύματι</span>, as contrasted with <span class="greek">σαρκί</span>, means the element of spiritual existence (comp. the use of <span class="greek">πνεῦμα</span> in <a href="/romans/1-4.htm">Romans 1:4</a>; <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">1 Peter 3:18</a>) into which they had been brought at their conversion by the Holy Spirit's influence; including the spiritual sensibility and spiritual activity which had at first marked their Christian life, as <span class="accented">e.g.</span> joy in God in the sense of pardon, adoption (<a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a>), love to God, affectionate attachment to their spiritual teacher (<a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Galatians 4:14, 15</a>), brotherly love among themselves: at that hour all their soul was praise, joy, love. <span class="greek">Σαρκὶ</span> denotes a lower, merely sensuous kind of religiousness, one busying itself with ceremonial performances, observance of days and festivals (<a href="/galatians/4-10.htm">Galatians 4:10</a>), distinctions of meats, and other matters of ceremonial prescription; with petty strivings and disputings, of course, about such points, as if they really mattered at all; in which kind of religiousness the former tone of love, joy, sense of adoption, praise, had evaporated, leaving their souls dry, earthly (comp. "weak and beggarly rudiments," <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9</a>; and for the use of <span class="greek">σάρξ</span>, <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a>). Perhaps the apostle includes also in his use of the term the loss of spiritual victory over sin. if in place of surrendering themselves to the leading of the Spirit (comp. <a href="/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18</a>) they put themselves under the Law, then they fell back again under the power of the "flesh," which the Law could only <span class="accented">command</span> them to control, but could of itself give them no <span class="accented">power to</span> control (<a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a>). The Authorized Version, "begun in," is doubtless faulty, in taking <span class="greek">πνεύματι</span> as governed by the <span class="greek">ἐν</span> of the compound verb. The two verbs <span class="greek">ἐνάρχομαι</span> and <span class="greek">ἐπιτελεῖν</span> are balanced against each other in <a href="/2_corinthians/8-6.htm">2 Corinthians 8:6</a>; <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a>. <span class="greek">Ἐπιτελεῖσθε</span> may be either a passive, as it is rendered in the Authorized Version, "Are ye made perfect," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "Are ye seeking to be made perfect;" so the Revised Version, "Are ye now perfected;" or a middle verb, as <span class="greek">ἐπιτελοῦμαι</span> is often used in other writers, though nowhere in the New Testament or Septuagint. The latter seems the more suitable, with the understood suppletion of "your course" or "your estate," as in our English word "finishing." The apostle is partial to the deponent form of verbs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/3-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Are you</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστε</span> <span class="translit">(este)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so</span><br /><span class="grk">Οὕτως</span> <span class="translit">(Houtōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">foolish?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνόητοί</span> <span class="translit">(anoētoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_453.htm">Strong's 453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">After starting</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐναρξάμενοι</span> <span class="translit">(enarxamenoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1728.htm">Strong's 1728: </a> </span><span class="str2">To begin (in), make a beginning, commence. From en and archomai; to commence on.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in [the] Spirit,</span><br /><span class="grk">Πνεύματι</span> <span class="translit">(Pneumati)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, spirit. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you now finishing</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιτελεῖσθε</span> <span class="translit">(epiteleisthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">To complete, accomplish, perfect. From epi and teleo; to fulfill further, i.e. Execute; by implication, to terminate, undergo.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in [the] flesh?</span><br /><span class="grk">σαρκὶ</span> <span class="translit">(sarki)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/3-3.htm">Galatians 3:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/3-3.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/3-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 3:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 3:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/3-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 3:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 3:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>