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Justification by Faith: Ten Bible Proofs

Justification by Faith: Ten Bible Proofs

Last updated on: June 6, 2026 at 12:10 am by Dave Armstrong

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Justification by Faith: Ten Bible Proofs 2026-06-06T00:10:59-04:00 Dave Armstrong

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Photo credit: St. Paul (c. 1468), by Marco Zoppo (1433-1478) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

This is the transcript for the video short with the same name (1-15-26).

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Catholics fully agree with Protestants on justification by faith, at least in the beginning of our spiritual life. We disagree that we are justified by faith ALONE. I have collected a hundred Bible passages about that, that we link to. The Apostle Paul uses the phrase “works of the law” in several of these passages (or “works” arguably used in the same sense, in context). This doesn’t mean ALL good works whatsoever, but rather, specifically, Jewish marks of identity such as circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, etc. These works cannot save anyone without grace and faith.

This understanding has been set forth in the last fifty years by Protestant scholars such as N. T. Wright, and is called the “new perspective on Paul”. Again, see a linked article for more details. Here are ten passages from RSV:

Romans 3:24-26, 28, 30 they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. … [26] … he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. … [28] … we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. … [30] … he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith. (cf. 3:20)

Romans 4:3-6 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due.[5] And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. [6] So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:

Romans 4:22 That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.” (cf. 4:8-11, 23-24)

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified.

Galatians 2:16 yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified.

Galatians 3:6 Thus Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (cf. 3:2, 5, 10)

Galatians 3:8, 11 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” …[11] Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for “He who through faith is righteous shall live”;

Galatians 3:23-26 Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. [24] So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

James 2:23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. (cf. 2:21-22, 24-25)

Related Book

Biblical Catholic Salvation

Related Articles

Bible vs. “Faith Alone”: 100 Proofs

New Perspective on Paul: Exegesis of “Works of the Law” (Does “Works of the Law” Refer to All Good Works Whatsoever?)

Abraham: Justified Twice by Works & Once by Faith

Related Web Page

Salvation & Justification

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Practical Matters: I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become a Catholic or to return to the Catholic Church, or better understand some doctrines and why Catholics believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).

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You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis, in partnership with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!

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Photo credit: St. Paul (c. 1468), by Marco Zoppo (1433-1478) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

Summary: Catholics agree that we’re justified by faith, but not by faith alone, and the phrase “works of the law” doesn’t mean all good works whatsoever. Ten biblical passages are presented.

Salvation & Justification

faith & works

justification by faith

new perspective on Paul

Salvation

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