The Grand Theme: Justification by Faith

The grand idea of justification, the pardon and promotion of sinners, runs like a river through the canyon of Romans. We stand in awe of the thing itself and the towering truths of Scripture that surround and guide it from its boundless Source to our boundless need.

E. F. Kevan

When God justifies the ungodly, He does not declare that the sinner is innocent, but that satisfaction for his sins has been made, and that, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, he has a title to eternal life, a title that is founded in justice.

Hugh Latimer

We must first be made good before we can do good; we must first be made just before our works can please God, for when we are justified by faith in Christ, then come good works.

The Belgic Confession

Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith apart from works.… We do not mean that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all His merits, and so many holy works that He has done for us and in our stead, is our righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with Him in all His benefits, which, when they become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.

Thomas Brooks

Justification and sanctification are inseparable companions; distinguished they must be, but divided they never can be.

Thomas Watson

Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christianity.

Jonathan Edwards

The Scriptural doctrine of justification by faith alone, without any manner of goodness or excellency of ours, does in no wise diminish either the necessity or benefit of a sincere evangelical obedience.

Martin Luther

I have preached justification by faith so often, and I feel sometimes that you are so slow to receive it that I could almost take the Bible and bang it about your heads.