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50 Unanswerable NT Passages Against “Faith Alone”

50 Unanswerable NT Passages Against “Faith Alone”

Last updated on: June 13, 2026 at 1:10 pm by Dave Armstrong

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50 Unanswerable NT Passages Against “Faith Alone” 2026-06-13T13:10:46-04:00 Dave Armstrong

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Protestants believe that we are justified in a one-time occurrence, and that it is imputed (we are declared righteous by God). Catholics agree that initial justification is monergistic: a purely gratuitous act of God alone — wholly by His grace — without any participation or works on our part; but only faith (over against Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism, or “works salvation”). Both sides joyfully agree thus far. But we disagree over the following propositions, which Catholics affirm:

justification is not a one-time event, has to be maintained, and can be lost,

and

sanctification (manifested by good works) is a direct contributing cause of salvation, alongside justification, to which it is organically connected (faith and works).

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Matthew 7:18-19 (RSV) A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.. . .

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done.

Matthew 19:16-17, 20-21 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” [17] And he said to him, “. . . If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” . . . [20] The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” [21] Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (cf. Mk 10:29-30; Lk 18:26-30)

Matthew 25:34-35, 41-43, 46 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, . . . [41] Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; [42] for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ . . . [46] And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; . . .

Luke 3:8-9 (+ Mt 3:10; 7:19) Bear fruits that befit repentance, . . . [9] . . . every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.

Luke 6:46-49 Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? [47] Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built. [49] But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

Luke 10:25-28 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” [27] And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”

John 3:36 He who believes [pisteuō] in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey [apeitheō] the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.

1 Peter 2:7 uses the same parallelism, with pisteuō and apeitheō, though RSV translates the latter as “do not believe.” KJV renders it as “disobedient” in the same way that John 3:36 and several other verses (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6; 3:3) do.

John 5:28-29 . . . all who are in the tombs will hear his voice [29] and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.

John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. . . .

Acts 2:38, 40-41 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” . . . [40] And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” [41] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Romans 2:6-8 For he will render to every man according to his works: [7] to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; [8] but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.

Romans 2:9-10 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, [10] but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.

Romans 2:13-16 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. [14] When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them [16] on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life.

1 Corinthians 13:2, 13 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. . . . [13] So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Galatians 5:14, 19-21 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” . . . [19] Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, [21] envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; [13] for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 3:8-16 Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; [10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Colossians 3:20, 23-25 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. . . . [23] Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. [25] For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 . . . may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you, [13] so that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (cf. 4:1)

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 . . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, [8] inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. . . .

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

1 Timothy 2:15 Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

1 Timothy 4:8, 10 . . . godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. . . . [10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. . . .

1 Timothy 4:12-16 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [13] Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. [14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. [15] Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. [16] Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. [12] Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, [19] thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, . . . by the washing of regeneration . . .

Hebrews 5:9 and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Hebrews 6:9-12 Though we speak thus, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation. [10] For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. [11] And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, [12] so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:10, 14 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. . . . [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

James 2:14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? . . . [17] So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. . . . [20] . . . faith apart from works is barren . . . [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, . . . [24] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. . . . [26] . . . faith apart from works is dead.

1 Peter 3:21 Baptism … now saves you . . .

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

2 Peter 1:5-7, 10-11 For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. . . . [10] Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; [11] so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:3-5 And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] He who says “I know him” but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: (cf. 2:10, 15)

1 John 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. (cf. 3:10, 17-19)

1 John 4:17 In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment . . . (cf. 4:7-8, 11-12, 16, 20-21)

Revelation 20:12-13 . . . And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. [13] . . . and all were judged by what they had done.

Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done.

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See my two-part follow-up article: Defense of 50 Bible Passages Against “Faith Alone” (+ Part II) [2-24-26]

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Related Reading

FAITH ALONE

Bible vs. “Faith Alone”: 120 NT & 30 OT Proofs [from 26 out of the 27 NT Books] [8-26-24; revised and expanded on 1-18-26]

Faith Alone? 80 Bible Verses Say Otherwise [National Catholic Register, 10-31-24]

Final Judgment & Works (Not Faith): 50 Passages [2-10-08]

Works & Sanctification Partly Cause Salvation: 34 Passages [1-30-25]

Saved by Love (vs. Faith Alone): Ten Bible Proofs [1-27-26]

Ten Terrifying, Shocking, “Un-Protestant” Bible Passages [vs. Faith Alone] [2-16-26]

MERIT

Salvation Caused by Actions: 80 Bible Passages (. . . Proving That “Faith Alone” is a False Doctrine) [10-5-24]

Meritorious Works: 50 Biblical Proofs [10-4-24]

“Do” in the NT vs. “Faith Alone” (40 Passages) [11-16-25]

24 Biblical Passages on Meritorious Works [National Catholic Register, 9-30-24]

Perfectly Keeping the Law: 15 Bible Passages [12-12-24]

Abraham: Justified Twice by Works & Once by Faith [15 passages] [8-30-23]

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Bible on Faith / Belief, etc. “Alone” [?] for Salvation (Fifty Bible Passages Stress Faith or Belief, Regarding the Question of Salvation, Compared to a Hundred that Emphasize or Highlight Works) [10-11-24]

Bible on the Nature of Saving Faith (Including Assent, Trust, Hope, Works, Obedience, and Sanctification) [380 passages] [1-21-10]

Justification by Faith: Ten Bible Proofs [1-15-26]

GRACE ALONE

St. Paul on Grace, Faith, & Works (50 Passages) [8-6-08]

Salvation: By Grace Alone, Not Faith Alone or Works [19 passages] [2013]

Salvation by Grace Alone: 15 Bible Proofs [1-22-26]

INFUSED JUSTIFICATION / SANCTIFICATION

Transformation of Believers in the NT: 150 Passages (Regeneration is Only the Beginning . . .) [12-16-24]

St. Paul’s Use of the Term “Gift” & Infused Justification [19 passages] [2013]

Biblical “Power”: Proof of Infused (Catholic) Justification [12 passages] [3-14-11]

SYNERGY AND “WORKING TOGETHER” WITH GOD

Scripture on Being Co-Workers with God for Salvation [72 passages] [2013]

God’s “Fellow Workers” Help Spread Salvation & Grace (We “Impart Grace”, “Save” Others, Win Souls, Help Them “Obtain Salvation”, Etc., In Our “Work of the Lord”) [55 passages] [10-29-21]

SALVATION AS A PROCESS

Salvation as a Process: 75 NT Passages [11-16-24]

Salvation is a Process & Not Instantaneously Assured [33 passages] [2009]

Salvation as a Process: Top 15 Bible Passages [1-6-26]

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Related Videos

NO! Jesus and Paul never taught “FAITH ALONE” [20+ Bible Verses] [with Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 3-14-25]

What The Bible REALLY Says About Faith and Good Works [20+ Bible Verses; Part 2] [with Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 3-27-25]

“Once Saved Always Saved” REFUTED! – [20+verses] [Dave Armstrong & Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 11-22-24]

The Three Most “UnProtestant” NT Passages [Mk 10:17-21: Rich Young Ruler] [see also the initial transcript, minus our spontaneous discussion] [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, 10-9-25]

Un-Protestant Bible #4: Matthew 25 vs. Faith Alone [see the transcript of the initial presentation] [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, 11-23-25]

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Summary: I selected the fifty most compelling New Testament passages — out of my “master list” of 120 — that undeniably refute and contradict the Protestant false doctrine of “faith alone.”

Salvation & Justification

salvation caused by actions

Un-Protestant Bible Passages

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February 16, 2026

Ten Terrifying, Shocking, "Un-Protestant" Bible Passages