The dance of faith

The Lavish Supply of the Spirit: Paul’s Warning in Galatians 3:5 and the Dance of FaithIn Galatians 3:5, the Apostle Paul poses a piercing question to the Galatian church: “Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” This verse, nestled in Paul’s passionate defense of justification by faith, carries profound theological weight and a vivid cultural metaphor rooted in the Greek word ἐπιχορηγέω (epichorēgeō). By unpacking this term’s rich background and Paul’s broader argument, we uncover not only the dynamic nature of God’s provision but also a sobering warning about the consequences of turning from faith to legalism.
The Meaning of Ἐπιχορηγέω: A Lavish, Choreographed Provision
The Greek word ἐπιχορηγέω (epichorēgeō) is striking for its cultural and linguistic depth. Derived from ἐπί (“upon” or “to”) and χορηγέω (chorēgeō), which combines χόρος (choros, meaning “dance” or “chorus”) and ἄγω (agō, meaning “to lead”), the term originally described a wealthy patron in ancient Greece, the χορηγός (chorēgos), who generously funded choral performances or dramatic festivals. These events, central to Greek civic and religious life, involved elaborate dances, music, and theatrical productions that brought communities together in celebration. The χορηγός didn’t merely provide minimal support; they lavishly supplied everything needed—costumes, training, and resources—ensuring the performance was a vibrant success.
In Galatians 3:5, Paul employs ἐπιχορηγέω to describe God’s abundant provision of the Holy Spirit to the Galatian believers. The term suggests not a one-time gift but an ongoing, extravagant outpouring, as if God is orchestrating a divine “dance” of the Spirit within the community. This provision manifests in spiritual vitality and “miracles among you” (δυνάμεις, dynameis), pointing to the tangible, powerful works of the Spirit that accompanied their faith in Christ. The imagery of a Greek chorus, with its harmonious and dynamic movement, evokes a sense of the Spirit’s work as a beautifully coordinated act, flowing through the believers’ faith.
Faith vs. Legalism: The Heart of Paul’s Argument
Paul’s question in Galatians 3:5 is rhetorical, designed to remind the Galatians of their initial experience of the Spirit, which came through “hearing with faith” (ἀκοῆς πίστεως, akoēs pisteōs), not through adherence to the Mosaic law. The Galatians had received the Spirit and witnessed miracles when they believed the gospel, not when they followed Jewish customs like circumcision or Sabbath observance. Paul’s use of ἐπιχορηγέω underscores the lavish generosity of God’s grace, which operates apart from human effort to earn it through the law.
However, Paul’s tone in Galatians is urgent and corrective. The Galatian church was being swayed by Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile believers must adopt Old Testament laws to be fully accepted by God. Paul warns that this shift from faith to legalism risks severing them from the Spirit’s dynamic work. In Galatians 5:4, he starkly states, “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” The danger is not merely theological error but a quenching of the Spirit’s vibrant presence, which could lead to spiritual stagnation, division, or even a “negative work” within the community—strife, pride, or loss of the freedom found in Christ (Galatians 5:1).
The Greek term’s connection to a choreographed dance amplifies this warning. Just as a chorus requires harmony and coordination to perform beautifully, the Spirit’s work thrives in a community united by faith. Legalism, by contrast, introduces discord, disrupting the “dance” of the Spirit. Paul’s concern is that the Galatians’ turn toward the law could halt the lavish supply of the Spirit, replacing divine empowerment with human striving and its inevitable shortcomings.
The Dance of Faith: A Call to Remain in Step
The imagery of ἐπιχορηγέω invites us to envision the Christian life as a Spirit-led dance, where believers move in step with God’s grace through faith. Paul’s warning resonates today as much as it did in the first century. Legalism—whether in the form of rigid rule-keeping, self-righteousness, or reliance on external rituals—can stifle the Spirit’s work, leading to a joyless, ineffective faith. By contrast, trusting in Christ’s finished work allows the Spirit to flow freely, producing fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and empowering believers for God’s mission.
Paul’s use of ἐπιχορηγέω also reminds us of God’s generosity. The Spirit is not rationed out sparingly but supplied lavishly, like a patron funding a grand festival. This abundance calls believers to live boldly in faith, trusting that God will continue to provide the Spirit’s power for miracles, transformation, and community life. Yet, as Paul warns, this supply is tied to faith, not works of the law. To step out of faith is to risk stepping out of the Spirit’s choreography, losing the rhythm of grace.
Conclusion: Heeding Paul’s Warning
In Galatians 3:5, Paul’s use of ἐπιχορηγέω paints a vivid picture of God’s generous provision of the Holy Spirit, likened to a patron funding a vibrant Greek chorus. This divine “dance” of the Spirit flows through faith in Christ, not through legalistic adherence to the law. Paul’s warning to the Galatians is clear: abandoning faith for works risks quenching the Spirit’s work, leading to spiritual dryness or discord. For modern readers, the call remains to stay rooted in faith, trusting in Christ’s sufficiency and allowing the Spirit to lead us in the harmonious dance of grace. To do otherwise is to step out of rhythm, missing the abundant life God intends.