An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 61

    Section 23: Lord’s Day 23

    What sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?

    Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith;a but because only the satisfaction righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God;b and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.c

    1. a. Psalm 16:2; Ephesians 2:8–9

      Psalm 16:2

      16:2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

      16:2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing."

      Ephesians 2:8–9

      2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

      2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 2:9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 2:2

      1 Corinthians 1:30

      1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

      1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

      1 Corinthians 2:2

      2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

      2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. 1 John 5:10

      1 John 5:10

      5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

      5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 60

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 60

    What sayest Why affirmest thou that thou art made Righteous by Faith only?

    Not for that I am acceptable to please God on account of through the Worthiness of my meer Faith, but because only the Satisfaction, Righteousness and Holiness of Christ is my Righteousness before God, and that I cannot receive and take hold of it, or apply the same to myself it unto my self any other way than by Faith.only.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 61

    What sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?

    Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God; and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 60

    Why affirmest thou that thou art made Righteous by Faith only?

    Not for that I please God through the Worthiness of meer Faith, but because only the Satisfaction, Righteousness and Holiness of Christ is my Righteousness before God, and I cannot take hold of it, or apply it unto my self any other way than by Faith.

    Commentaries (2)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)

      Why affirmest thou, that thou art made righteous by faith only? Not for that I please god through the worthines of meere faith: but because onely the satisfaction, righteousnes…

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

    • Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use

      Why doost thou say, that thou art righteous by faith? Not because, by the worthinesse of my faith I please God, but because the satisfaction, righteousnes, and holinesse, of…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text