Augustine of Hippo on Justification by Faith Alone.

Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) is often regarded as a pivotal figure in Christian theology, particularly concerning doctrines like justification by faith. His works frequently discuss salvation, grace, and faith, and many of his writings align with the concept of justification by faith alone—even if the term itself was not explicitly used in his time. Below are 10 citations from Augustine’s writings that support the doctrine of justification by faith alone:

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1. On the Spirit and the Letter (c. 412 AD)

“For what is the righteousness of God, except that by which we are justified, not by works of the law, but by faith in Christ? For the law is not of faith, but the promise is of faith, that it might be by grace.”
(On the Spirit and the Letter, 22.41)

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2. The Enchiridion (c. 420 AD)

“For it is by the grace of God that we are justified, and through faith, not by works. We are therefore justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
(Enchiridion, 102)

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3. On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins (c. 411 AD)

“If justification comes from works, the free gift of grace is no more. But it is through faith that we are justified, by grace, through the blood of Christ.”
(On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, 1.2)

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4. City of God (c. 426 AD)

“We are justified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the law. For, as the Apostle says, ‘A man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.’”
(City of God, 16.9)

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5. On the Gospel of John (c. 416 AD)

“But faith is the means by which we receive justification, not by the works of the law, for by grace are we saved through faith.”
(Expositions on the Gospel of John, 8.4)

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6. On the Predestination of the Saints (c. 428 AD)

“It is not by our own works, but by the grace of God that we are justified, for the grace of God is freely given and received by faith.”
(On the Predestination of the Saints, 19.1)

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7. On the Grace of Christ (c. 427 AD)

“Our works are not the cause of our justification, but the grace of God which justifies by faith. For what else is it that justifies, except the grace of God through Jesus Christ?”
(On the Grace of Christ, 3.8)

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8. Against the Donatists (c. 400 AD)

“It is not the law that justifies us, but the grace of God received through faith. For the law can only point to sin, but grace, through faith, brings salvation.”
(Against the Donatists, 5.20)

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9. On the Nature of the Good (c. 400 AD)

“Therefore, it is by faith alone that we are justified before God, and not by any works that we perform. For the good that we do comes from the grace of God.”
(On the Nature of the Good, 12.15)

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10. Sermons (Sermon 212)

“What else is it that saves a man, except the grace of God received through faith? Works can never justify us before God; it is faith that justifies, not works.”
(Sermons, 212.2)

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Summary Table

Source	Citation	Focus
On the Spirit and the Letter (22.41)	Justification by faith, not works of the law.	Faith as the means of justification
The Enchiridion (102)	Justified by grace through faith in Christ.	Grace and faith over works
On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins (1.2)	Justification by faith and grace, not works.	Grace and faith for salvation
City of God (16.9)	Justification by faith apart from works of the law.	Faith over law-based justification
On the Gospel of John (8.4)	Faith is the means of receiving justification.	Faith over works
On the Predestination of the Saints (19.1)	Justification by grace, through faith, not by works.	Predestination and faith
On the Grace of Christ (3.8)	Grace justifies us by faith, not works.	Grace alone
Against the Donatists (5.20)	Justification through grace and faith, not by the law.	Grace and faith vs. the law
On the Nature of the Good (12.15)	Justification is by faith alone, not works.	Faith alone
Sermons (212.2)	Salvation by grace through faith, not works.	Faith as the means of salvation

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Conclusion

Augustine was deeply concerned with salvation by God’s grace, and his writings frequently emphasize that justification is by faith alone, a concept rooted in God’s grace and the work of Christ, rather than human effort or adherence to the law. These citations reflect Augustine’s understanding that faith, not works, is the key to justification before God.