We hear much in religion on the subject of faith and being justified by it. Paul tells us, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1 ) The common approach to this verse by many religious leaders is to attach the words “only” at the end of this phrase. Is this what the apostle Paul meant? Can the words ‘by faith’ include the obedience to that faith, or are we justified the moment we believe? Let us take a look at this much debated question.

In the quest of properly understanding the Scriptures we must employ sound interpretation techniques. Such as, if one would take a word of the Scriptures and replace it with its definition, one will not hurt its meaning. For example, let us look at the statement: “John is going to his house.” Webster’s defines ‘house’ as “a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families.” If I take the word ‘house’ and replace it with its definition the meaning is still the same and perhaps better understood: “John is going to his building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families.” Let us now take this sound technique and replace the phrase ‘by faith’ of Romans 5:1 , and let us let Paul define his own phrase ‘by faith’.

Paul uses this phrase ‘by faith’ in six of his books, but he defines it in the book of Hebrews. Paul teaches us in the 11th chapter of Hebrews of an array of Biblical personalities that were rewarded by faith.

In verse 4, Paul teaches us that it was by faith that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. His reward for this was that he obtained witness that he was righteous. I want you to notice that Abel offered by faith. Therefore, the phrase ‘by faith’ contains within it the actions of offering. Abel was not called righteous by faith only but he was called righteous ‘by faith’ because of his obedience to that faith!

In verse 7, Noah by faith became heir of righteousness and saved his household. The phrase ‘by faith’ this time includes the action ‘built an ark’. Noah didn’t save his family by faith only, but he did save them by faith.

In verse 30, Israel encircled the walls of Jericho, and the walls fell. Paul says that this was ‘by faith’. We can see plainly from these examples that Paul defines ‘by faith’ as including the actions of that faith. The phrase ‘by faith’ is inclusive of obedience to that faith, and not mere faith only.

In verse 29, Israel passed through the Red sea on dry land. This event was ‘by faith’. We know, of course, that it was not faith only. Paul tells us, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” Here we see that Paul calls the event of the crossing of the Red Sea a baptism unto Moses. What was done in crossing the Red Sea was done ‘by faith’, and in crossing they were ‘baptized’. Therefore, ‘by faith’ in this example includes baptism.

Now let us take what we now know and observe Romans 5:1 . “Therefore being justified by faith…” We now can understand what Paul is saying here. Paul is not saying we are justified by faith only, but that we are saved by faith. Just like Abel, Noah, Abraham, and the Israelites!

Does this phrase ‘by faith’ include Christian baptism? Paul also answers this. Paul says, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Gal 3:24 ) Here is this phrase again. He implies here that we need to be brought unto Christ so that we can be justified by faith. He then continues, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:26 ) He then explains why we are children of God ‘by faith’. He says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal 3:27 ) The word ‘for’ means that this is the reason as to why, and in this case he tells us in verse 24 that we need to be brought up to Christ so that we can be justified by faith. He then proclaims that we are children of God by faith, because ‘by faith’ we were baptized into Christ and had put on Christ!

To add the words ‘only’ to Romans 5:1 is an injustice to Paul and his writings. It is especially an injustice to the book of Romans in which when the word faith is first mentioned in his opening is tied with obedience and when last used in his closing is tied with obedience. (Rom 1:5 ; 16:25,26) Paul never uses the phrase ‘by faith’ to ever mean faith only but has in all his other writings to show that it includes the actions of that faith. Let us all be as Abraham and be obedient to faith and be saved by faith.