You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? (Galatians 3: 1-5)

During his time with the Galatians Paul had not encouraged observance of the law. Even though - or precisely because they were gentiles - Paul had only brought a message of the self-sacrifice of Jesus.

Paul recalls that the Galatians had pascho tosoutos - experienced a great deal - as a result of the Spirit. Pascho can mean to suffer or to be fulfilled, depending on context.

For Paul we are called to fully share the experience of Jesus. We are to enter into both the suffering and fulfillment of the crucifixion. In this deeply felt spiritual encounter we will find our ultimate origin and purpose.