SD 11.3

11.3. Of Justification

Christ by his obedience and death did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified, and did by the sacrifice of himself, in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due unto them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in their behalf. Yet in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for any thing in them, their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.

Proof texts

• Rom. 5:8, 9, 10, 19 — [8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
• 1 Tim. 2:5, 6 — [5] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
• Heb. 10:10, 14 — [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
• Dan. 9:24, 26 — [24] “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. [26] And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
• Isa. 53:4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 — [4] Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. [10] Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. [11] Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
• Rom. 8:32 — [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
• 2 Cor. 5:21 — [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
• Matt. 3:17 — [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
• Eph. 5:2 — [2] And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
• Rom. 3:24 — [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
• Eph. 1:7 — [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
• Rom. 3:26 — [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
• Eph. 2:7 — [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Rom. 5:8, 9, 10, 19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 13 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WCF 11.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. 1689 11.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 11.1 · 1689 11.1