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What Is Sola Gratia?

Sola gratia — "by grace alone" — confesses that every part of salvation, from election to glorification, flows from God's unmerited favor. Sinners contribute nothing to their rescue; even the faith by which they believe is itself a gift of grace.

Key Passages

What the Tradition Says

“Secondly, salvation is an inheritance and a gift proceeding from grace alone; it is not obtained by merit. This is to be observed in the following passages: ―... inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world‖ (Matthew 25:34); ―Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the rew...”
Wilhelmus a Brakel — The Christian's Reasonable Service, Vol. 3
“Fifthly, Salvation is a work of grace; and seeing we are saved by grace alone, why then doth God choose to save men in this way of free grace? I answer, It is because this is the most honourable way unto God. The papists are not ashamed to say that it is most honour to a man to be saved by works, bu...”
William Bridge — The Works of William Bridge (Vol. 2)
“And we prove this righteousness here to be meant of the righteousness that is in Christ, because he speaketh afterwards of sanctification, which is the righteousness within What sane- US, and is freedom from the tyranny of sin into the liberty tification \b. q{ nghteousness; begun here, and increase...”
James Ussher — A Body of Divinity
“This means, to conclude, is faith : There is not a way, nor an instrument in the Scriptures of God whereby we can apply Christ to our souls, but only the instrument of faith: therefore faith cannot be enough commended. Turn to faith, and it will make thee turn to God; and so conjoin thee with God, a...”
Robert Bruce — Sermons on the Sacrament: The Mystery of the Lord's Supper
“From this, it is apparent, in the first place, that the love which is according to election, would not be less towards the elect than it now is, even if God should declare the same favour, and His own love towards all men in general. Secondly, they, who make the love of God, in Christ, the cause of...”
James Arminius — The Works of James Arminius, Vol. 3

Common Questions

What does sola gratia mean in simple terms?
That salvation is 100% a gift. God chose, called, regenerated, justified, and keeps his people — all by grace, with no human merit mixed in.
Where is sola gratia taught in the Bible?
Ephesians 2:8 ("by grace you have been saved through faith... it is the gift of God"), Romans 11:6, and Titus 3:5.

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