Faith Working through Love (Galatians 5:6)
The Role of Human Deeds in Salvation in Luther and Calvin’s Exegesis
By Stephen Chester
Galatians 5:6. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
Twentieth-Century Exegesis of Galatians 5:6 in Relation to Luther and Calvin’s Exegesis. The fifth and sixth chapters of Galatians have been viewed as an afterthought to the first 4 chapters.
Faith Formed by Love: Medieval Exegesis of Galatians 5:6. Two kinds of faith—formed and unformed. Unformed faith (acceptance of the facts only) is not sufficient.
Faith That Works: The Reformation Reaction to the Medieval Exegesis of Galatians 5:6. Both Luther and Calvin rejected the idea of formed and unformed faith.
Faith That Works in Christ: Galatians 5:6 and Union with Christ. Luther and Calvin’s rejection of unformed faith.
Faith that Works and Social Location.
Conclusions.
- Both Luther and Calvin that faith works so that if one has true faith, there will be works.
- Faith is central to Paul’s message.
- The faith they express has a social context.