Catholic Bible Study – Galatians: Chapter 3:1-18 (March 15, 2026)

Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology

Hosts: Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Jim Prothero

Main Theme of the Episode

This episode offers an in-depth Catholic study of Galatians 3:1-18, focusing on Paul’s argument about justification by faith versus “works of the law.” Drs. Michael Barber and Jim Prothero explore how Paul appeals to the experiences of the Galatians, the figure of Abraham, and Old Testament passages to explain why Gentile Christians are not required to observe Mosaic law (especially circumcision) to be justified before God. The discussion moves through the theological logic and scriptural foundations that Paul weaves, highlighting the role of faith, the promise to Abraham, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the new covenant.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Paul’s Rebuke and the Galatians’ Experience (00:00–04:18)

• Paul opens with a strong rebuke: “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?” emphasizing that Christ was “publicly portrayed as crucified” before their eyes.
• Dr. Barber underscores Paul's frustration:

  “He's just told them, like, this is the situation with me and Peter...We’re Jews...Even we knew that we're not justified just by being circumcised...So even we put our faith in Jesus...And now suddenly he breaks, right? O foolish Galatians.” (01:52)

• Paul challenges them: Did they receive the Spirit by works of the law or by “hearing with faith”? The obvious answer is faith—and their experience confirms it.
• The scholars note that many Gentile converts had never practiced the Jewish law:

  “You guys, your grandparents were worshiping trees, and then Jesus showed up...He didn't say, go get circumcised...He just said, come to me.” (02:09 – 03:15)

Abraham as the Model of Faith (04:30–08:40)

• Paul invokes Abraham as proof that faith, not circumcision, justifies:

  “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness...Genesis 15 comes before Genesis 17...In Genesis 17, that's when Abraham received circumcision.” (05:00)

• Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised, setting a precedent for Gentile believers.
• Jim Prothero elaborates:

  “The thing that happened to Abraham that we want...becoming friends of God happened when he trusted God's promise...” (07:56)

• The promise to Abraham (Genesis 12, 15) is that through his offspring “all nations shall be blessed,” allowing Gentiles to become “children of Abraham” by faith.

Faith vs. Works of the Law; The Curse & Old Testament Proofs (08:40–18:11)

• Paul cites Deuteronomy, Habakkuk, and Leviticus to show that relying on works of the law puts one under a curse:

  “For it is written, cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law and do them…” (09:47)

• Dr. Prothero:

  “If you want to put yourself under the law's authority...then you got to do the whole thing. And if you don't, then you're under a curse.” (10:48)

• The law cannot justify because it demands perfect adherence and can be followed for the wrong motives.
• Barber:

  “It's not just enough you keep the law. The key thing for Habakkuk is that the righteous live not just by keeping all these commandments, but by doing so in a way that's full of faith. You're living by faithfulness...” (12:31)

• Paul argues that keeping the law as a system (apart from faith and trust in God) is not what God intended. Instead, faith involves a trusting, ongoing relationship with God.

Christ Redeems From the Curse (16:43–18:11)

• Paul explains Christ’s sacrificial role:

  “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written, cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” (16:43)

• Drs. Prothero and Barber clarify:

  “Notice here, the law...curses anyone hung on a tree, like crucifixion...Jesus breaks the curse of the law because the law said you're cursed...But I am God...so it breaks the curse of the law in the same way that his dying breaks the power of death.” (17:01–17:58)

• The blessing to Abraham now reaches Gentiles through Christ, by the Spirit, not through Mosaic law.

The Promise of the Spirit (18:11–23:20)

• Paul introduces the Spirit as the fulfillment of God’s promises:

  “So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (18:11)

• They reference Ezekiel (36:26–27) regarding the new heart and Spirit:

  “I will give you a new heart and a new spirit...I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes...” (21:06)

• This gift of the Spirit, awaited in the Old Testament, now empowers believers to live righteously.

The Priority of the Abrahamic Covenant (23:20–28:27)

• Paul sees God’s promise to Abraham as preceding and taking precedence over the Mosaic law.
• Dr. Barber explains:

  “When God promised Abraham, 'I’m going to bless all nations through you,' he didn’t say if they're circumcised...The law is given...because of transgressions.” (24:20)

• Dr. Prothero reads from Gal 3:15–18, explaining Paul’s logic:

  “God made this promise to Abraham before he was circumcised that it would come about through Jesus Christ, that many nations would be in Abraham's family and be righteous...The law came 430 years later...it can't change plan A, and it can't mess with that promise.” (26:44–27:58)

• The episode uses the analogy of wills/covenants: one cannot alter or substitute a covenant after it has been ratified.

Practical Implications for Catholics (28:27–end)

• Dr. Barber warns against empty ritualism:

  “So many of us...can often, out of a lack of faithfulness, start to think being a disciple is about checking boxes...At the end of the day, we don't put our trust in those things...” (28:27)

• The focus should be on receiving and trusting God’s transforming grace, not on rigidly trusting in self-accomplished religious tasks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Paul’s rebuke:
  “He calls them ignorant, calls them stupid...This isn't some sort of Victorian play.” – Prothero (01:52)
• On Abraham’s model:
  “Genesis 15 comes before Genesis 17...So Paul’s point is even before...he received circumcision, he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Barber (05:00)
• On legalism:
  “I'm pretty sure now that I really have to go do this thing that merely has to do with my flesh...To go get circumcised. So Paul basically says, you guys...you're going backwards.” – Prothero (03:43–04:19)
• On Christian observance:
  “We could often...start to think that being a disciple is ultimately just about checking boxes...But at the end of the day, we don’t put our trust in those things.” – Barber (28:27)

Important Timestamps for Segments

• 00:00–03:33 Paul’s rebuke; the Galatians’ experience of the Spirit
• 03:43–08:40 Argument from Abraham; faith vs. circumcision
• 08:40–14:34 Old Testament proof-texting; faith vs. law keeping
• 16:43–18:11 Christ as redeemer from the law’s curse
• 18:11–23:20 The promise of the Spirit and the new covenant
• 23:20–28:27 The Abrahamic promise vs. the Mosaic law; implications
• 28:27–end Practical takeaways for Catholics; faith and trust vs. ritualism

Conclusion

This episode masterfully unpacks Paul’s dense theological argumentation in Galatians 3:1–18. The hosts, speaking with clarity and wit, reveal Paul’s emphasis on faith, the universality of God’s promise through Abraham, the limitations of the Mosaic Law, and the transformative gift of the Holy Spirit. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own spiritual lives: Do we trust in Christ’s work and God’s promises—or are we tempted to rely on external observance alone?

For deeper exploration:

• Check out additional Augustine Institute courses on Paul for a thorough study of his letters and theology.
• Next episode: Continuing exploration of the law in Galatians 3.

“We don’t put our trust in those things. It’s not like, oh, if I don’t say that novena prayer on the eighth day, oh gosh, I blew up my novena...We don’t want to imagine that God first isn’t interested in loving us as we are, giving us his grace as we are, and then enabling us by His Spirit.” – Barber (28:27)