This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 'Was it by the works of the law that ye received the Spirit (manifested by miracles, Galatians 3:5; Mark 16:17; Hebrews 2:4; and by spiritual graces, Galatians 3:14; Galatians 4:5-6; Ephesians 1:13), or by the hearing of faith?'
Only - `I desire, omitting other arguments, to rest the question on this alone:' I who was your teacher, desire now to "learn" this one thing from you. 'Holy' is not prefixed to "Spirit," because that epithet is joyous whereas this letter is stern.
Hearing of faith - `or, by faith, of which you heard in preaching.' Faith consists not in working, but in receiving (Romans 10:16-17).