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Examined Doctrine

Thomas Aquinas on Perseverance & eternal security

1225 – 1274 · SCHOLASTIC
STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNTAFFIRMS°
STANCE

Perseverance is a distinct gift, not given to all the regenerate

THE POSITION

Perseverance is a gift, and no one can be certain of their own final perseverance apart from special revelation. Assurance is therefore hope rather than certainty.

SCRIPTURE
PHILIPPIANS 2:12 · BSB

12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

1 OTHER HOLD THIS

Augustine
No — the genuinely saved will certainly persevereVODDIE BAUCHAM · CALVIN · JONATHAN EDWARDS · THE CHURCH OF ELEVEN22 STATEMENT OF FAITH · JOSH HOWERTON · TIM KELLER · SECOND LONDON BAPTIST CONFESSION · JOHN MACARTHUR · GAVIN ORTLUND · JOHN OWEN · JUSTIN PETERS · JOHN PIPER · R.C. SPROUL · CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON · WESTMINSTER CONFESSION · ZWINGLI
Yes — real apostasy is possibleCHRYSOSTOM · M. HEISER · LUTHER · PHILIP MELANCHTHON · WESLEY
See all 25 figures on perseverance & eternal security →

ABOUT THIS FIGURE

Dominican friar, author of the Summa Theologiae. Synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian doctrine; the reference point for later Catholic theology.

1 OF 13 POSITIONS QUOTED
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"Thomas Aquinas on Perseverance & eternal security", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/aquinas/perseverance (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/aquinas/perseverance).

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