Augustine of Hippo on the nature of saving faith
Essentially trust that grasps Christ
"He does not say, 'I obtained mercy because I was faithful,' but 'in order that I might be faithful,' thus showing that even faith itself cannot be had without God's mercy, and that it is the gift of God."
THE POSITION
Faith is itself a gift, not something a person originates and God merely rewards. Augustine argues thinking necessarily precedes believing, so if a person cannot even think anything of themselves toward God, they cannot originate belief unaided either — mercy comes first, faith follows from it.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
9 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
Bishop of Hippo. The single most influential theologian in Western Christianity; both Catholic and Reformed traditions claim him. Anti-Pelagian works, the Enchiridion, and On Baptism Against the Donatists.
Cite this page
"Augustine of Hippo on the nature of saving faith", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/augustine/saving-faith (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/augustine/saving-faith).