Galatians 3:2

The Apostle appeals with confidence to the personal experience of his converts. They were themselves conscious of having received on their conversion gifts of the Spirit. Whence then came the inward change? Was it the result of fulfilling law, or of listening in faith? The question needs no answer: for it was obviously the result of listening in faith. The second clause couples together two essential requisites for conversion: men must not only listen, but listen in a right spirit, desiring to know and do God's will. The genitive πίστεως adds this essential condition. τὸ πνεῦμα. The spirit constitutes in this Epistle a definite element in the regenerate nature, due to spiritual creation as the flesh is to natural creation an internal organ by which the Holy Spirit operates on the will and prompts the action of man (cf. Galatians 3:16-22). It becomes therefore a living human force within the heart, distinct from the personality of the Holy Spirit. But on the other hand it is absolutely dependent for its vital force on the original inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and can neither live nor grow without continual nourishment and sustenance from Him.