Catholic Scripture

Justification & Sanctification

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ;
you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith
the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith
expressing itself through love.
Galatians 5, 4-6

The central thrust of Galatians 5 focuses on the contrast between living under the law and living by faith through the Spirit. The chapter emphasizes freedom in Christ, highlighting that believers are not bound by the law but are called to live in the Spirit, producing fruits such as love, joy, and peace. Paul warns against returning to a legalistic way of life and encourages believers to embrace their freedom, love one another, and walk by the Spirit, which leads to a transformed life.

The passage from Galatians 5:4-6 speaks to a fundamental theme of the apostle Paul’s teachings, particularly in relation to the law, grace, and faith. In a Catholic context, this text can be understood as a profound reflection on the nature of salvation and the role of love in the Christian life.

Paul emphasizes that trying to be justified by the law – adhering strictly to Jewish customs and regulations – alienates one from Christ. In Catholic teaching, this can be seen as a reminder that salvation is a gift of grace, rather than something we earn through our own efforts or adherence to the law. This aligns with the Catholic understanding of grace as an unmerited favor from God that allows us to respond to His call.

The notion of falling away from grace stresses the necessity of remaining in a relationship with Christ, which is sustained through faith and not merely by following the law. In Catholic theology, this emphasizes the importance of maintaining that relationship through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Confession, which are viewed as vital means of grace that help believers remain connected to Christ.

The passage culminates in the assertion that “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” This is a core tenet of Catholicism, where love (charity) is considered the highest virtue. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but is to be lived out through acts of love. The Church teaches that our works, motivated by faith and love, are integral to living out our Christian vocation.

The mention of circumcision and uncircumcision underscores the idea that, in Christ, traditional divisions based on law or ethnicity lose their significance. In the Catholic Church, this is reflected in the belief that all are equal before God and in the universal call to holiness, which transcends cultural and social barriers.

Overall, Galatians 5:4-6 can be interpreted in a Catholic context as a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of grace, the necessity of faith that is alive and fruitful through love, and the call to unity in Christ, encouraging believers to actively and lovingly live out their faith in the world.

In his pivotal letter to the Jewish Christians in Galatia, St. Paul emphasizes that it is the indwelling Holy Spirit, rather than mere compliance with the external observances mandated by the ceremonial prescriptive Mosaic law, that justifies believers before God. He articulates that sanctifying grace functions as the essential mechanism through which internal justification is achieved, a process intimately linked to the merits of Christ, who stands as the ultimate source of all grace. Moreover, Paul underscores that the merits attained through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection don’t negate the enduring truth of God’s word. This truth asserts that genuine atonement for sin is realized through a heartfelt expression of love and faithfulness, a principle beautifully captured in Proverbs 16:6, which states, “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided.” Thus, Paul calls upon believers to embrace a transformative relationship with the Holy Spirit and to embody the love and faithfulness that fulfill the true intent of God’s commandments.

Human beings are uniquely created in the image of God, a fundamental doctrine in Christian theology that underscores our inherent dignity and purpose. Although we grapple with a fallen human nature, marked by sin and imperfection, the pursuit of justice in God’s sight necessitates a commitment to holiness that encompasses both our souls and our bodies. In Christian belief, God graciously provides us with the means to attain holiness and righteousness, which reflect His divine nature. However, it is essential to clarify that this bestowed grace does not imply that we achieve absolute righteousness, as that is reserved for God alone.

As adopted children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are called to ensure that the condition of our souls and the conduct of our lives align with the divine image in which we are created. This alignment involves a transformative journey, often supported by practices such as prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the sacraments, which help cultivate our spiritual growth. The Greek term for “to justify” (dikaioo), frequently used by the Apostle Paul in his epistles, indicates that God perceives us as intrinsically righteous when He declares us just. This declaration of justification signifies more than a mere change in relational status; it represents a fundamental transformation in our very nature. As Paul emphasizes, through faith in Christ, we are counted as righteous, allowing us to enter into a right relationship with God.

In Reformed Protestant theology, the concept of the imputed alien righteousness of Christ suggests that believers are credited with Christ’s righteousness apart from their own supernatural merit. However, this idea can be seen as problematic when considering the active role of individuals in the work of the Holy Spirit within them. Sacred Scripture emphasizes the necessity of a genuine ontological transformation—meaning a fundamental change in our very nature—for believers to be considered just in the sight of God.

The reality of God’s declarations about justice is as genuine and authoritative as the act of creation itself, exemplified in Genesis 1:3, where God speaks light into existence, and echoed in John 8:12, where Jesus proclaims Himself as the light of the world. It is crucial to recognize that God, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, does not merely bring forth superficial or fictional changes; rather, He effects a profound and transformative change within us. This transformation empowers us to live according to God’s will, reflect His love and righteousness in our daily lives, and participate actively in establishing His kingdom on earth.

“All indeed depends on God, but not so that our free will is hindered. ‘If then it depends on God,’ (one says), ‘why does He blame us?’ On this account, I said, ‘so that our free will is no hindered.’ It depends then on us, and on Him For we must first choose the good; and then He leads us to His own. He does not anticipate our choice, lest our free will should be outraged. But when we have chosen, then great is the assistance he brings to us…For it is ours to choose and to wish; but God’s to complete and to bring to an end. Since therefore the greater part is of Him, he says all is of Him, speaking according to the custom of men. For so we ourselves also do. I mean for instance: we see a house well built, and we say the whole is the Architect’s [doing], and yet certainly it is not all his, but the workmen’s also, and the owner’s, who supplies the materials, and many others, but nevertheless since he contributed the greatest share, we call the whole his. So then [it is] in this
case also.”
St. John Chrysostom (A.D. 403)
Homily on Hebrews, 12:3

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