justification by works

American  

noun

Theology.

1. the belief that a person becomes just before God by the performance of good works: the doctrine against which Luther protested in inaugurating the Protestant Reformation.

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Example Sentences

Paul is now getting ready for the second argument of his Epistle, to the effect that to seek justification by works of the Law, is to reject the grace of God.

From Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Graebner, Theodore

St. Paul has been repudiating the principle of justification by works of the law.

From St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Vol. I A Practical Exposition by Gore, Charles

The gracious soul believes in Christ for justification, from a sense of utter inability to obtain justification by works.

From Works of John Bunyan — Volume 02 by Bunyan, John

I do not believe in justification by works nor by sacraments, yet I do believe in their wonderful effect, through grace alone, upon our character and future condition.

From Bertha and Her Baptism by Adams, Nehemiah

This is the method of justification by works.

From Sermons to the Natural Man by Shedd, William G. T. (William Greenough Thayer)