Faith and Works in Early Christianity

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

So that when we hear, Your faith has saved you, we do not understand Him to say absolutely that those who have believed in any way whatever shall be saved, unless also works follow.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

This commandment exhibits the deeds of faith, that you may trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and doing them you may live to God.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...out the commandments that I gave you? They are excellent. Do not doubt them at all. Instead, put on faith in the Lord, and you will walk in them, for I will strengthen you in them. These commandments are useful for those who intend to repent. For if they do not walk in them, their repentance is in vain. Therefore, you who repent, throw away the wickedness of this world that wears you out. And by putting on all the virtues of a holy life, you will be able to keep these commandments, and you will no longer add to the number of your sins. Walk, therefore, in these commandments of mine, and you will live to God. All these things have been spoken to you by me." After he had said these words, he said to me, "Let us go into the fields, and I will show you the shepherds of the flocks." "Let us go, sir," I replied. And we came to a certain plain, and he showed me a young man, a shepherd, dressed in a set of yellow clothes. He was herding a great many sheep, and these sheep were feeding in a luxurious way, as it were, and riotously, and were merrily skipping here and there. The shepherd himself was cheerful because of his flock, and the shepherd's appearance was joyful, and he was running

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

...braham, known as "the friend," was found faithful because he obeyed the words of God. In his act of obedience, he left his own country, his relatives, and his father's house, to leave behind a small territory, a weak family, and an insignificant home so he could inherit God's promises. For God told him, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, bless you, and make your name great, and you will be blessed. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed." Again, when he parted from Lot, God said to him, "Look up, and from where you are, look north, south, east, and west; all the land you see, I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could be counted." And again, the Scripture says, "God brought Abram out and said to him, 'Look up now to heaven and count the stars if you can; so shall your descendants be.' And Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Because o

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

...ed writings, and out of the wisdom taught by God, according to the apostle? Learning, then, is also obedience to the commandments, which is faith in God. And faith is a power of God, being the strength of the truth. For example, it is said, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard, you shall remove the mountain” (Matthew 17:20). And again, “According to your faith let it be to you” (Matthew 9:29). And one person is cured, receiving healing by faith. And the dead person is raised up because of the power of one believing that he would be raised. The demonstration, however, which rests on opinion is human, and is the result of rhetorical arguments or dialectic syllogisms. For the highest demonstration, to which we have referred, produces intelligent faith by bringing forward and opening up the Scriptures to the souls of those who desire to learn. The result of this is knowledge, gnosis. For if what is brought forward in order to prove the point at issue is assumed to be true, as being divine and prophetic, then clearly the conclusion reached by inference from it will also be inferred truly. And the legitimate result of the demonstration will be knowledge. When the memorial of the h

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

But Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith.

Polycarp, Connection to Ephesians 2:8 Supporting witness

into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that "by grace ye are saved, not of works,"

Ignatius, Epistle to the Ephesians (Syriac Version) Background

The work is not of promise, unless a man be found in the power of faith, even to the end.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

"Fear the Lord," he said, "and keep His commandments." Ecclesiastes 12:13 For if you keep God's commandments, you will be strong in everything you do, and everything you do will be beyond compare. For by fearing the Lord, you will do everything well. This is the fear you ought to have, so that you may be saved. But do not fear the devil. For if you fear the Lord, you will rule over the devil, because there is no power in him. But someone in whom there is no power should never be feared. He in whom there is glorious power is the one who is truly to be feared. For everyone who has power ought to be feared, but he who has no power is despised by all. Therefore, fear the deeds of the devil, because they are evil. For if you fear the Lord, you will not do these deeds, but will hold back from them. For there are two kinds of fear. If you do not want to do what is evil, fear the Lord, and you will not do it. But again, if you want to do what is good, fear the Lord, and you will do it. Therefore the fear of the Lord is strong, great, and glorious. Fear the Lord, then, and you will live to Him, and all who fear Him and keep His commandments will live to God. "Why," I said, "sir, did you say

James 2:26 Direct teaching

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:14 Direct teaching

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

James 2:18 Supporting witness

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

In the end, the agreement and harmony of both forms of faith lead to one goal: salvation. We have the apostle as a sure witness: "For I desire to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, in order that you may be strengthened; that is, that I may be comforted among you by the mutual faith of you and me." Romans 1:11-12 And a little later he adds, "The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." Romans 1:17 So the apostle clearly declares a twofold faith, or rather one faith that allows growth and perfection, for the common faith lies underneath as a foundation. Therefore, to those who desired to be healed and were moved by faith, He added, "Your faith has saved you." Matthew 9:22 But what is built excellently on that foundation is completed in the believer, and is further perfected by the faith that comes from instruction and the word, so that the commandments may be carried out. Such were the apostles, of whom it is said that faith removed mountains and transplanted trees. From this, seeing how great its power was, they asked that faith might be added to them, Luke 17:5 a faith that helpfully grips the soil like a grain of mustard seed and grows splendidly

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...out this husband, who is the Word, formerly desolate of the bridegroom. Now "the just shall live by faith," which is according to the covenant and the commandments, since these, which are two in name and time, given according to the divine arrangement, being one in power, the old and the new, are given through the Son by one God. As the apostle also says in the Epistle to the Romans, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith," teaching the one salvation which from prophecy to the Gospel is perfected by one and the same Lord. "This charge," he says, "I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that by them you may war the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience; which some, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck," 1 Timothy 1:18-19, because by unbelief they defiled the conscience that comes from God. Accordingly, faith may no longer, with reason, be disparaged in an offhand way as simple and common, as something ordinary and available to anyone. For if it were a merely human habit, as the Greeks supposed, it would have been extinguished. But if it grows, and there is no place where it is no

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

...arly taught when he says in the Epistle to the Galatians: “So, the one who gives you the Spirit and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Know therefore, that those who are of faith are the children of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, announced beforehand to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed. So then those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” For these reasons, the apostle declared that this man was not only the prophet of faith but also the father of those who believe in Jesus Christ among the Gentiles, because his faith and ours are the same: he believed in future things as if they were already accomplished, because of the promise of God; and similarly, we also, because of the promise of God, see through faith that inheritance stored up for us in the future kingdom.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...hom God raised from the stones, and placed beside him who was made the leader and forerunner of our faith. This man received the covenant of circumcision after being justified by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he could represent both covenants. He became the father of all who follow the Word of God and live as pilgrims in this world, whether they come from the circumcised or uncircumcised, as “Christ is the chief cornerstone” supporting everything. God gathered into the faith of Abraham those eligible for His purpose from either covenant. But this faith, which exists in uncircumcision, connects the beginning with the end and has become both the first and the last. As I have shown, it existed in Abraham before circumcision, as it did in the rest of the righteous who pleased God. In these last times, it emerged again among humanity through the coming of the Lord. Circumcision and the law of works occupied the period in between.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

For the rest, the apostle must (be permitted to) go on with his own statement, wherein he says that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith: Galatians 2:16 faith, however, in the same God to whom belongs the law also.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

...gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. It was so that from then on man might be justified by the liberty of faith, not by servitude to the law, because "the just shall live by his faith," Habakkuk 2:4. Now although the prophet Habakkuk first said this, yet you have the apostle here confirming the prophets, just as Christ did. Therefore, the object of the faith by which the just man shall live will be that same God to whom the law also belongs, by doing which no man is justified. Since, then, the curse in the law and the blessing in faith are equally found, you have both conditions set forth by the Creator: "Behold," says He, "I have set before you a blessing and a curse," Deuteronomy 11:26. You cannot establish a diversity of authors because there happens to be a diversity of things; for the diversity itself is proposed by one and the same author. Why, however, Christ was made a curse for us, Galatians 3:13, is declared by the apostle himself in a way that greatly helps our side, as being the result of the Creator's appointment. But it by no means follows that, because the Creator said long ago, "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree," Christ belonged to a

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

...er, but not a different god, because truly there is but "one God, who justifies the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith." Zacharias, prophesying, exclaimed, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets who have been since the world began: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, that He would grant us, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, that we might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days." He then says to John: "And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest, for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people for the forgiveness of their sins." This is the knowledge of salvation they lacked, that of the Son of God, which John made known, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is the one of whom

Galatians 2:16 Direct teaching

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 3:28 Supporting witness

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 11:6 Supporting witness

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Ephesians 2:8 Supporting witness

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 4:5 Supporting witness

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Clement of Rome, Second Epistle (attributed) Direct teaching

For He is faithful who has promised that He will bestow on every one a reward according to his works.

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

...leasure, as some think, but complete insensibility. But if the Maker of men does care about His own works, and if there is anywhere a distinction between those who have lived well and those who have lived badly, then it must be either in the present life, while people are still living after having behaved either virtuously or wickedly, or after death, when people are in a state of separation and dissolution. But under neither of these possibilities can we find a just judgment taking place. For in the present life, the good do not receive the rewards of virtue, and the bad do not receive the wages of vice. I pass over the fact that, as long as the nature we now have remains, our moral nature is not able to bear a punishment equal to the more numerous or more serious sins. For the robber, ruler, or tyrant who has unjustly killed myriads upon myriads could not, by one death, repay those deeds. And consider the man who holds no true belief about God, but lives in every kind of outrage and blasphemy, despises divine things, breaks the laws, commits violence against boys and women alike, unjustly destroys cities, burns houses with the people in them, lays waste a country, and at the s

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Background

...Maker Himself, or of any of the works that have come from Him, then it is very clear that, although according to the first and more general view of the subject, God made man for Himself, and in keeping with the goodness and wisdom that are clearly seen throughout creation, yet according to the view that more closely concerns created beings, He made man for the sake of the life of those created. This life is not kindled for a little while and then extinguished. For to creeping things, I suppose, and birds and fishes, or to speak more generally, to all irrational creatures, God has given that kind of life. But to those who bear the image of the Creator Himself, and are given understanding, and blessed with rational judgment, the Creator has given perpetual duration. He did this so that they might recognize their own Maker, and His power and skill, and obey law and justice, and so pass their whole existence free from suffering, possessing those qualities with which they have bravely borne their preceding life, even though they lived in corruptible and earthly bodies. For whatever has been created for the sake of something else, when the thing for which it was created has ceased, wi

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching

...ven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:14 For if we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad, 2 Corinthians 5:10, let each one do all he can so that he may not receive punishment for more evil things done in the body, even if he is going to receive back for all the wrongs he has done. Instead, it should be our aim to gain the reward for a greater number of good deeds, since “with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you,” Matthew 7:2 and “according to the works of our own hands it shall happen to us,” Isaiah 3:11. And this will not happen infinitely, but sinners will receive either double or sevenfold for their sins from the hand of the Lord. For He does not repay anyone according to the works of his hands, but more than what he has done. Jerusalem, as Isaiah taught, received from the hand of the Lord double for her sins. Isaiah 40:2 But the neighbors of Israel, whoever they may be, will receive sevenfold, according to the statement in the Psalms: “Render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom the reproach with which they hav

Hippolytus, Against Plato Direct teaching

...us and the unrighteous alike, will be brought before God the Word. For the Father has committed all judgment to Him. And in fulfillment of the Father's counsel, He comes as Judge, whom we call Christ. For it is not Minos and Rhadamanthys who are to judge the world, as you imagine, O Greeks, but He whom God the Father has glorified. We have spoken elsewhere about Him more particularly, for the profit of those who seek the truth. He, in carrying out the Father's righteous judgment for all, assigns to each what is righteous according to his works. And while standing before His judgment, all, both men and angels and demons, will speak with one voice, saying, "Righteous is Your judgment." And the justification of this voice will be seen in the awarding to each of what is just. For to those who have done well, eternal bliss will be assigned righteously. And to the lovers of iniquity, eternal punishment will be given. And the fire that is unquenchable and without end awaits these latter, and a certain fiery worm that does not die, and does not waste the body, but continues bursting forth from the body with unending pain. No sleep will give them rest. No night will soothe them. No death

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

Therefore they who have known God shall be judged, and their deeds, that is, their evil works, shall be compared and weighed against their good ones: so that if those which are good and just are more and weighty, they may be given to a life of blessedness;

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

But after your hardness and impenitent heart you store up unto yourself wrath in the day of wrath and of revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who shall render to every one according to his works.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

who also will come at the consummation of the world with power and great glory, to judge the quick and the dead, and to recompense to every one according to his works.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness

2. That, then, was called the day of retribution on which the Lord will render to every one according to his works—that is, the judgment.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes Supporting witness

and that you believe that all shall be judged severally in the future, and that every man shall receive the just recompense for his deeds, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

and further, from the judgment of their Maker upon them according to the time each has lived, and according to the rules by which each has regulated his behaviour — a judgment which no one can doubt will be just.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

In this view it is that he informs us how we must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according as he has done either good or bad.