Catholic Bible Study: Galatians Chapter 5:1-26

Podcast: Catholic Bible Study by Augustine Institute
Episode Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Michael Barber (A), Dr. Jim Prothero (B)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Jim Prothero lead an engaging and insightful discussion on Galatians chapter 5, examining Paul's teachings on Christian freedom, the dangers of reverting to legalism, the fruits of the Spirit, and the nature of salvation within the Christian community. The conversation balances scholarly depth with pastoral warmth, aiming to help listeners better understand St. Paul's message and its application to daily Christian living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Freedom in Christ vs. Legalism

[00:00–06:00]

• Paul’s opening proclamation: “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (5:1)
• Slavery here refers to returning to the Mosaic Law (specifically circumcision) as the means for justification.
• Dr. Prothero explains:

  “You think it’s like picking up a new devotion, or something like that, but it’s not. You’re actually making a choice against following Christ and where he’s calling you and going the other way. And he says, you’ll fall away from grace.” (B, 03:18)

• Paul’s wordplay: being severed from Christ through the act of circumcision (a pun on “cut off”).

2. Salvation: Grace vs. Works

[04:49–06:58]

• Paul warns that seeking justification in law/circumcision means falling from grace.

• Dr. Barber emphasizes:

  “You have a choice. You’re going to either put your faith in these practices like circumcision, or you’re going to put your faith in God's grace that's already been active in you.” (A, 05:45)

• The hope of righteousness:

  “It’s a confident hope. Not confident in ourselves, but a confidence in God…” (B, 07:09)

3. The Heart of the Matter: Faith Working in Love

[07:22–08:44]

• Paul’s declaration:

  “For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (A, 07:26)

• Clarification on faith: not just belief, but faithfulness—the lived response to God’s love.
• Love as the fulfillment of the law and response to God’s grace.

4. The Danger of Disunity and Division

[10:10–15:28]

• Paul asks rhetorically, “Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Addressing the agitators among the Galatians.

• Dr. Barber challenges the notion of "once saved, always saved":

  "Doesn’t seem to be the way Paul sees it. You can choose if you wish to separate yourself from Christ." (A, 10:15)

• The troublemakers are not outsiders, but from within the believing community itself.

• Notable moment:

  “I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves.” (A, 13:55)
  Strong Pauline rhetoric, using biting irony about circumcision and those who enforce it.

5. Freedom’s True Purpose: Service through Love

[14:00–15:28]

• Warning: Do not use freedom “as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
• Fulfillment of the entire law:

  “The whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (A, 15:10)

• Dr. Prothero clarifies:

  “The freedom that Paul is talking about isn’t a freedom to do whatever you want, but a freedom to do what God wants.” (B, 15:28)

6. Walking by the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh

[17:25–23:00]

• Paul lists “works of the flesh”: sexual immorality, impurity, enmity, jealousy, anger, rivalries, divisions, envy, drunkenness, etc.
• Dr. Barber emphasizes how often Christians downplay “respectable” sins like divisions, strife, or anger, but Paul places these alongside idolatry and sexual immorality:

  “It’s remarkable to me how many will try to justify intemperate attitudes by pointing to things like Jesus’s act of cleansing the temple... But zeal and anger are not the same thing.” (A, 19:24)

• Dr. Prothero calls out rationalizations:

  “We find it easy to sort of pass over because we decide that, like, our reasoning for doing it is good... But at the end of the day, you’re going to find your life directed against people instead of directed toward God.” (B, 22:10)

7. Communal Dimension of Salvation

[23:29–23:50]

• Salvation is communal, not individualistic:

  "It’s about being incorporated into the family of God, into the people of God, being incorporated into the ecclesia." (A, 23:29)

8. The Fruits of the Spirit

[23:51–end]

• Positive traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

• Aquinas’ commentary: Each fruit of the Spirit stands opposed to specific works of the flesh (e.g., love vs. sexual immorality, joy vs. impurity).

• Living by the Spirit means adopting these virtues and letting go of divisive, destructive behaviors.

• Final reflection:

  “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (A, 23:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Freedom in Christ:

  “Christ has set you free for this freedom. You’ve been redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus… Why are you going to run back to it instead of saying, ‘Yes, Redeemer, I’ll follow you’?” (B, 02:37)

• On Faith and Works:

  “What counts isn’t circumcision or uncircumcision. What ultimately is justifying is faith… faithfulness, working through love.” (A, 07:26)

• On Christian Persecution:

  "If you are going to be faithful to Christ, you should expect to be persecuted... Woe to you when all men speak well of you." (A, 12:44)

• On Life in the Spirit:

  “If this is the way you’re gonna continue to live your life... at the end of the day, you’re gonna find your life directed against people instead of directed toward God.” (B, 22:10)

• On Community:

  "Salvation is not just about me and Jesus. It’s about being incorporated into the family of God, into the people of God…" (A, 23:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–06:00 – Introduction to Galatians 5 and overview of Paul’s message of freedom
• 06:00–10:00 – Paul on grace, faith, and hope of righteousness
• 10:00–15:30 – Danger of legalism, disunity, and Paul’s strong words for agitators
• 15:30–17:30 – Freedom in Christ and the call to love your neighbor
• 17:30–23:00 – Works of the flesh vs. the fruits of the Spirit; communal implications
• 23:00–end – Aquinas’ interpretation, fruits of the Spirit, and final reflections

Tone & Style

The episode maintains an educational yet conversational tone—serious about theological content, but peppered with humor and lively banter between Dr. Barber and Dr. Prothero. Both scholars root their commentary in Scriptural context and Catholic tradition, encouraging listeners to move beyond surface interpretations and apply Paul’s message to modern Christian life.

For More Study:
Listeners are invited to revisit Galatians 5 and reflect on the lists of “works of the flesh” and “fruits of the Spirit,” considering practical steps to foster faith working through love in their own lives.

Next Episode:
Stay tuned for Galatians Chapter 6!