Evangelical Answers : Clement of Rome and Justification by Faith Alone

Justification is by Faith Alone through Grace Alone.

Clement of Rome (c. ?-99 A.D.):

Let us therefore cleave unto His blessing, and let us see what are the ways of blessing. Let us study the records of the things that have happened from the beginning. Wherefore was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith? Isaac with confidence, as knowing the future, was led a willing sacrifice. Jacob with humility departed from his land because of his brother, and went unto Laban and served; and the twelve tribes of Israel were given unto him.

If any man will consider them one by one in sincerity, he shall understand the magnificence of the gifts that are given by Him. For of Jacob are all the priests and levites who minister unto the altar of God; of him is the Lord Jesus as concerning the flesh; of him are kings and rulers and governors in the line of Judah; yea and the rest of his tribes are held in no small honour, seeing that God promised saying, Thy sted shall be as the stars of heaven. They all therefore were glorified and magnified, not through themselves or their own works or the righteous doing which they wrought, but through His will. And so we, having been called through His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified through ourselves or through our own wisdom or understanding or piety or works which we wrought in holiness of heart, but through faith, whereby the Almighty God justified all men that have been from the beginning; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What then must we do, brethren? Must we idly abstain from doing good, and forsake love? May the Master never allow this to befal us at least; but let us hasten with instancy and zeal to accomplish every good work. For the Creator and Master of the universe Himself rejoiceth in His works. . . . the Lord Himself having adorned Himself with works rejoiced. Seeing then that we have this pattern, let us conform ourselves with all diligence to His will; let us with all our strength work the work of righteousness.

(Clement of Rome, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 31-33; trans. J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, ed. J. R. Harmer, [London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1912], pp. 70-71.)

Note: After Clement has enunciated the doctrine of justification by faith alone (§§. 31-32) he asks, rhetorically, the question posed by all those who oppose the doctrine: “What then must we do, brethren? Must we idly abstain from doing good, and forsake love?” (§. 33). He responds by noting that just as God has adorned himself with good works—and we are made in his image—so we also adorn ourselves with good works (§. 33). However, just as God does not become righteous by His good works, but rather His good works flow out of His righteousness, so too we do not become righteous by our works, rather our good works flow out (§. 30) of our union with Christ, Who is our righteousness (§. 36). Hence he writes: “we . . . are not justified through . . . works which we wrought in holiness of heart”.

Cf. Clement of Rome (c. ?-99 A.D.):

This is the way, dearly-beloved, wherein we found our salvation, even Jesus Christ the High-priest of our offerings, the Guardian and Helper of our weakness. Through Him let us look stedfastly unto the heights of the heavens; through Him we behold as in a mirror His faultless and most excellent visage; through Him the eyes of our hearts were opened; through Him our foolish and darkened mind springeth up unto the light; through Him the Master willed that we should taste of the immortal knowledge; Who being the brightness of His majesty is so much greater than angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name.

(Clement of Rome, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 36; trans. J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, ed. J. R. Harmer, [London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1912], p. 72.)

Cf. Clement of Rome (c. ?-99 A.D.):

(Clement of Rome, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 30; trans. J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, ed. J. R. Harmer, [London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1912], pp. 69-70.)

But not by a Faith that is Alone.

Clement of Rome (c. ?-99 A.D.):

Seeing then that we are the special portion of a Holy God, let us do all things that pertain unto holiness, forsaking evil-speakings, abominable and impure embraces, drunkennesses and tumults and hateful lusts, abominable adultery, hateful pride; For God, He saith, resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly. Let us therefore cleave unto those to whom grace is given from God. Let us clothe ourselves in concord, being lowly-minded and temperate, holding ourselves aloof from all backbiting and evil speaking, being justified by works and not by words. For He saith; He that saith much shall hear also again. Doth the ready talker think to be righteous? Blessed is the offspring of a woman that liveth but a short time. Be not thou abundant in words. Let our praise be with God, and not of ourselves: for God hateth them that praise themselves. Let the testimony to our well-doing be given by others, as it was given unto our fathers who were righteous.

(Clement of Rome, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 30; trans. J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, ed. J. R. Harmer, [London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1912], pp. 69-70.)

Note: Observe that the “justification” spoken of here by Clement is that of vindication not judicial standing with God. “Let the testimony to our well-doing be given by others”—cf. “Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19, RSV—cf. Matthew 12:37; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 1:17 LXX).

Cf. James 2:15-16:

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

(New American Standard Bible: 1995 Edition.)

Cf. Martin Luther:

We say that justification is effective without works, not that faith is without works. For that faith which lacks fruit is not an efficacious but a feigned faith. ...It is one thing that faith justifies without works; it is another thing that faith exists without works.

(Martin Luther, “Disputation Concerning Justification,” 1536; trans. Luther’s Works: Volume 34: Career of the Reformer, [Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1960], p. 176.)

Evangelical Answers

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Clement of Rome and Justification by Faith Alone

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