Justification by Faith Alone

Presented to
Dr. John Markley

For
BIBL 425 Romans

By
Richard D. Foltz
L25508009

08/13/2014








Introduction
There is no issue within the pages of Scripture more important in the lives of individual
believers than the subject of justification. It is this issue that has caused the most vehement of
splits within the catholic (or universal) church, and it is upon this issue that the entirety of the
Christian faith stands or falls. For these many reasons, it is impossible to over emphasize the
importance of justification in Christian theology. While the entirety of Scripture speaks to this
important issue, one of the clearest books within the Canon on the subject of justification is the
book of Romans, which will be the primary source used in this paper. Throughout the years of
Church history, debates have raged over the specifics of justification, but Protestant theology is
clearly and unified on this one fact; that justification is by grace alone, through faith alone. The
concept of Justification as expounded upon within the book of Romans can be seen to be an
instantaneous act initiated by God in which He declares the individual believer to be righteous
before Him, received by grace through faith without regard for the individuals merits or works.
Definition
There have been many ideas offered up as to the definition of the word justification, but
one of the common denominators among these varied definitional offerings is the idea that
justification is a declaration. One author has spoken of justification as, A declaration by Him
(God) that we are just.
1
Another scholar has defined the word justify as, To pronounce,
accept, and treat as just entitled to all the privileges due to those who have kept the law.
2
This
concept of justification is clearly the concept taught by Paul in the book of Romans. The ESV

1
R.C. Sproul, What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2005), 62.
2
J.I. Packer, Justification, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Walter A. Elwell, ed., 2nd ed., (Grand Rapids, MI,
Baker Book House Company, 2001), 643.
Study Bible notes based upon Romans 3:24, for instance, speaks of being justified as declared
not guilty but righteous by the divine Judge.
3

It is this writers opinion that the above definitions for justification are accurate and
helpful. Those who are students of church history may do well to remember the story and events
surrounding Martin Luther, and especially his theological convictions. One of Luthers primary
grievances with regard to the Roman Catholic Church was based upon their view of justification,
which Luther came to view as faulty. Luther taught that justification did not mean the absence of
sin in the life of a believer, but was rather the idea that God had declared such a believer to be
just despite their sinful nature and actions.
4

Basis
This work of God which we refer to with the term justification, as defined above as the
declaration of a sinner to be just before God, is based upon a few very important factors. While it
would be outside of the scope of this assignment to talk about all of the prior requirements in
order for justification to be possible, we will look at a few of them in order. To begin, one of the
most important requirements before justification could be possible is that man must be sinful.
This is an idea which is taught very clearly by both the Scriptures and our own personal
experience.
Sin can be defined by a myriad of images, such as folly, self-abuse, missing the mark,
treason, hatred, spiritual adultery, wandering, idolatry, pride, and the list could continue.
5
Our
own personal experience testifies to the reality of sin; for instance, most people lock their front

3
Thomas R. Schreiner, Study Note on Romans 3:24, ESV Study Bible. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2008), 2163.
4
Justo L. Gonzales, The Story of Christianity Volume II: The Reformation to the Present Day. (New York, NY:
HarperCollins, 2010), 52.
5
Mark Driscoll, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2010), 149.
door when they leave home. This is a practical expression which clearly shows that we as men
and women understand that sin exists. Thankfully, the Scriptures and especially the book of
Romans are not quiet on this issue.
Romans 3:10-18, quoting from various Old Testament sources, provides a grim and grisly
picture of the nature of fallen man. This section opens with the line, None is righteous, no, not
one; no one understands, no one seeks for god. (Romans 3:10b-11, ESV) An understanding of
what sin truly is becomes a weighty matter for anyone that would endeavor to understand or
appreciate justification. The most vile aspect of this idea of sin is that it is, at its heart, rebellion
and offense to the one true God.
6
It is for this reason that Romans begins early on in describing
sin in terms of Gods response to sin.
7
For instance, The wrath of God is being revealed from
Heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their
wickedness. (Romans 1:18, NIV.) This concept leads to a logical prerequisite of justification:
God, who is just, must also be a God who is merciful. Thankfully, Scripture is clear that this is
so.
The book of Romans speaks in length about the mercy of God. For instance, Paul refers
to Gods words to Moses that, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy... (Romans 9:15a,
ESV). If mankind has turned from and rebelled against God in their sinful nature and actions,
then it is a requirement that God show such men mercy if any justification is to be possible. For
this reason God is both just and merciful; it is by His mercy alone that any man or woman is ever
to be justified.
8


6
D.A. Carson, Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2010), 42.
7
Ibid, 42.
8
Thomas R. Schreiner, Study Note on Romans 9:14-15, ESV Study Bible. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2008), 2163.
Finally, justification is based upon the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, who though
perfect Himself, submitted to the Fathers will in death on a Cross that He might save those who
would believe in Him. One understanding of Pauls words in the book of Romans is that the
claims of Gods law on men has been fully satisfied, fulfilled by Jesus Christ on the behalf of
men.
9
It is, thus, on the grounds of Christs obedience that God imputes to man righteousness
and this He gives to men as a free gift, as taught by Paul in Romans 5:17.
10

Means
In order to address the question of the means of justification, it can be helpful to
consider this question from the human perspective as well as from the divine perspective. These
two views on justification are not in conflict or opposition to one another, rather they are
different ways of looking at what occurs as an individual obtains justification. Of these two
perspectives on the means of justification, the human or earthly aspect is much easier to be
understood.
On the human side of justification, the book of Romans is very clear on what man must
do or be in order to obtain justification. For instance, Paul instructs that those who confess with
their mouth that Jesus is Lord while believing in their heart that God raised Him from the dead
will be saved. (Romans 10:9.) This declaration with the mouth is one of the simplest and most
basic aspects of the Christian faith, that the Christian is one who honors and declares Jesus to be

9
J.I. Packer, Justification, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Walter A. Elwell, ed., 2nd ed., (Grand Rapids, MI,
Baker Book House Company, 2001), 645.
10
Ibid, 645.

Lord. It is the fulfillment of these two conditions which, according to Paul in the book of
Romans, brings about salvation.
11

While these are the evidences from the human perspective that point us toward
justification, the truth is that no man has the innate ability to declare Jesus as Lord or believe in
Him with their heart. As discussed early regarding this issue of Sin, it is evident that all men are
depraved. It bears repeating that Paul in this very letter to the Romans instructed that, None is
righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. (Romans 3:10-11, ESV.) It is
for this reason that God must, prior to a mans declaration of and belief in Him, enable a change
in that mans heart. This is the Biblical doctrine of regeneration, and was even taught by Jesus
Christ Himself.
12
For instance, Jesus has said that, no one can come to me unless it is granted
him by the Father (John 6:65b, ESV) In order to understand this aspect of justification, it is
helpful to turn to the divine perspective of the means of justification.
If it is true that no man can seek for God, as already shown from Romans chapter 3, and
if it is true that man must declare Jesus as Lord and believe on Him in their heart in order to be
justified, a very serious question emerges: How then is anyone to be justified? The answer is by
no means simple, but is on all accounts important and awe-inducing in the life of a believer. To
answer this question, it must be understood that God has chosen a people for Himself, and those
He has chosen He will provide grace to in order that they might come to faith.
13

This concept is taught clearly in the book of Romans, so much so that Paul even
anticipates the reaction of his readers and answers one of their objections to this controversial

11
Douglas Moo, The NIV Application Commentary: Romans. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
2010), 332.
12
R. C. Sproul, What is Faith? (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Pub, 2010), 51.
13
Ibid, 52.
truth.
14
In Romans 9, Paul teaches that God will have mercy on whoever He wills and will also
harden against Himself whoever He wills. It is here that Paul answers a key objection, Why
does He still find fault? Paul answers this question by referring to man as pottery, and simply
answers that simple pottery has no right to question the work of the potter to make from the clay
what He so desires. (Romans 9:18-24.) It is found elsewhere in Pauls writings that God has
chosen (elected) whom He would bring unto Himself before the foundation of the world.
(Ephesians 1:3-10.)
15

Finally, then, it can be concluded that the faith by which men are saved is the work of
Gods grace. When a man proclaims Jesus as Lord and believes on Him in their heart, they are
operating out of a new nature given them by God that has enabled them to desire the things of
God. No rebel against the Lord has ever or will ever turn from their rebellion and back toward
God without Gods having changed their heart.
16
It is to this that Ezekiel alluded when he spoke
of Gods act of taking out the heart of stone, replacing it with a heart of flesh, providing to man a
new spirit. (Ezekiel 36:26.) In light of this view on justification, it can be shown then that it is the
result of Gods work for the believer there is no room for the works of man to play a part in
their own justification.
Time Factors
From the evidences shown thus far, it is clear that justification is an instantaneous act of
God by which He has declared the elect individual to be righteous. If God has before the
foundation of the world chosen His elect to be conformed to the image of His son, and if He on
the basis of Jesus work on the sinners behalf declared that sinner to be righteous, this is no

14
Ibid, 52.
15
Ibid, 53.
16
Ibid, 54.
gradual process but an instantaneous act. While justification is an immediate and instantaneous
declaration on Gods part regarding the state of the sinner, the term salvation is a more
progressive concept. This is a term that refers to the entirety of Gods work by which He rescues
man from their sin and bestows grace upon them, from beginning (justification), through life
(sanctification), until the end (glorification).
17

This progressive nature, however, does not diminish the importance of the experience by
which the believer is saved.
18
Although Paul at times refers to salvation as future, it is clear
that justification has already been declared on the part of Gods people. It is for this reason that
Paul can write that men have already died with Christ, have already died to sin, and were already
buried with Him in baptism.
19
These all refer to justification, while almost in the same stroke of
the pen Paul teaches on the rest of salvation giving instruction on sanctification and teaching
that those who died with Christ should one day be raised with Him. (Romans 6:1-14.)
Results/Fruits
The results of justification are numerous and amazing, especially when considered in
light of the entirely-of-God aspect of justification described above. That men should benefit in
any way from the work of Jesus is truly amazing grace, something that has struck awe in
believers throughout all of church history. It is simply unfathomable that God would justify men,
declaring them righteous before Himself. It is more scandalous that this justification would lead
to a plethora of positive fruits in the believers life. God is truly a God of grace.

17
Elmer L. Towns, Theology for Today. (Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt, 1989), 420-421.
18
Ibid, 421.
19
Douglas Moo, The NIV Application Commentary: Romans. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
2010), 195-197.
It would be prudent here to simply list out some of the benefits toward man that are
received as the direct result of their justification. It would surely be impossible to list every fruit
of justification for the believer, but thankfully Paul speaks concisely in Romans chapter 5 about
some of the most important results.
20
First and foremost would simply be justification itself; that
God has declared the believer to be righteous. On top of this result, numerous springs of blessing
come that are directly related to the believers new standing before God.
According to Romans 5:1, Paul teaches that one important result of the believers
justification is that he obtains peace with God through Christ. This peace with God is an
objective state of harmony with God the Father enjoyed only by the Christian, the one who has
been justified.
21
No man has any peace with God apart from justification, for the sinner is at
enmity with God on the account of their sin. Only the man who has been declared righteous by
God Himself can enjoy this peace. This amazing result of justification leads to another, similar
result: the justified believer has, access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
(Romans 5:2.)
The access believers have by faith into grace could be described as access to God, which
is of course only the result of grace. The way Paul has framed this statement, as access into
grace, is indicative of his fundamental view of grace in the life of the Christian. It also implies to
the Romans that the grace God pours out on His justified elect does not end with their
justification, but wells up in grace upon grace upon grace for all of eternity. This does not mean

20
Ibid, 168.
21
Ibid, 170.
that God should give men everything they might want, but that the justified can be said to live in
a position of constant grace.
22

Finally, an important benefit of justification is that the justified Christian can be assured
that God will continue to work with and on them until the day when they should receive
glorification. Paul writes in Romans 5:2b that one of the results of justification is that the
believer will rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. This hope is of the future, and directly
relates to the assurance of the believers standing with God.
Assurance
Romans, as the rest of Scripture, is entirely clear that for those who have been justified
the hope of Gods glory remains for them.
23
According to Romans 5:9-10, the God who justified
His enemies will now, much more, save them by Jesus life. Likewise, Romans 8:32 speaks of
God, who gave for the believer His son, giving to them also all things. Paul is really just
echoing Jesus own words, as He has taught that Gods will is for Jesus to, lose nothing of all
that He (the Father) has given me (Jesus), but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:39-40.)
Despite these clear words in Scripture, the concept that a man can lose their salvation
based upon their own works or merits is still very prevalent in the world. It is important to have
an understanding of just what this might mean: namely, this would mean that God can fail in
what He wills to do. If God wills that Jesus should not lose any of those He has been given, and

22
Ibid, 170.
23
R. C. Sproul, Can I Be Sure Im Saved? (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Pub, 2010), 18.
then Jesus lost them, then God has failed on account of human will. Jesus, likewise, would
have failed in the purpose for which He was sent and died.
24

In the above introduction, it was stated that justification is obtained by grace through
faith without regard for the individuals merits or works. What might it mean for justification if it
were based in this meritless way, but could be lost with respect to works following its having
been enacted? This would create a salvation by works, which is an idea vehemently opposed in
the Scriptures from Romans and throughout. Although salvation does have a future aspect, it
is clear that there is no doubt in Scripture as to the completion of salvation for those who have
been justified. God is faithful, and Paul is clear that He will finish the good work He has begun
in His elect.
25
(Phil. 1:6.)
Conclusion
The Bible has much to say on the subject of justification, and the book of Romans has
been clearly shown to be a rich reservoir of information on this subject. There is no more
important subject to be studied in the entirety of human experience, for the worship of God is
what man was created for
26
and can only be truly executed by fallen, sinful men following the
experience of having been justified.
27
The study of what has been called the doctrines of grace,
as they pertain to salvation, ought to lead one into a fuller and more robust appreciation for the
grace that has been so copiously lavished upon the believer, whom God has loved indeed,
loved when the believer was yet ill-deserving of any goodness from the Lord.
Bibliography

24
Samuel Storms, Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions. (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2013), 195-
205.
25
Lewis Sperry Chafer, Major Bible Themes. (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 1964), 155.
26
Mark Driscoll, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2010), 339.
27
Ibid, 359.

Carson, D.A. Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2010.

Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Major Bible Themes. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 1964.

Driscoll, Mark. Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2010.

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. New York,
NY: HarperCollins, 2013.

Moo, Douglas. The NIV Application Commentary: Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 2010.

Packer, J.I. Justification, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, edited by Walter A. Elwell.
Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Book House Company, 2001.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Study Notes on Romans, from the ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, Ill.:
Crossway, 2008.

Sproul, R.C. Can I Be Sure Im Saved? Lake Mary, FL.: Reformation Trust Pub, 2010.

Sproul, R.C. What is Faith? Lake Mary, FL.: Reformation Trust Pub, 2010.

Sproul, R.C. What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics. Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Baker Books, 2005.

Storms, C. Samuel. Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions. Wheaton, Ill.:
Crossway, 2013.

Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Lynchburg, VA.: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2001.