Chapter 28.—Faith is the Gift of God.

I have already discussed181    See above, ch. vii. (16, 17, 18). the point concerning faith, that is, concerning the will of him who believes, even so far as to show that it appertains to grace,—so that the apostle did not tell us, “I have obtained mercy because I was faithful;” but he said, “I have obtained mercy in order to be faithful.”182    1 Cor. vii. 25. And there are many other passages of similar import,—among them that in which he bids us “think soberly, according as God hath dealt out to every man the proportion of faith;”183    Rom. xii. 3. and that which I have already quoted: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;”184    Eph. ii. 8. and again another in the same Epistle to the Ephesians: “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ;”185    Eph. vi. 23. and to the same effect that passage in which he says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”186    Phil. i. 29. Both alike are therefore due to the grace of God,—the faith of those who believe, and the patience of those who suffer, because the apostle spoke of both as given. Then, again, there is the passage, especially noticeable, in which he says, “We, having the same spirit of faith,”187    2 Cor. iv. 13. for his phrase is not “the knowledge of faith,” but “the spirit of faith;” and he expressed himself thus in order that we might understand how that faith is given to us, even when it is not sought, so that other blessings may be granted to it at its request. For “how,” says he, “shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?”188    Rom. x. 14. The spirit of grace, therefore, causes us to have faith, in order that through faith we may, on praying for it, obtain the ability to do what we are commanded. On this account the apostle himself constantly puts faith before the law; since we are not able to do what the law commands unless we obtain the strength to do it by the prayer of faith.

28. Jam quidem de fide, hoc est, de voluntate credentis superius disputavi (Supra, nn. 16-18), usque adeo eam demonstrans ad gratiam pertinere, ut Apostolus non diceret, Misericordiam consecutus sum, quia fidelis eram; sed diceret, Misericordiam consecutus sum, ut fidelis essem (I Cor. VII, 25). Sunt et alia testimonia, in quibus est quod ait, Sapite ad temperantiam, sicut unicuique Deus partitus est mensuram fidei (Rom. XII, 3). Et quod jam commemoravi: Gratia salvi facti estis per fidem, et hoc non ex vobis, sed Dei donum est (Ephes. II, 8). Et illud quod scripsit ad Ephesios: Pax fratribus et charitas cum fide a Deo Patre et Domino Jesu Christo (Id. VI, 23). Et illud, ubi ait: Quia vobis donatum est pro Christo, non solum ut credatis in eum, verum etiam ut patiamini pro eo (Philipp. I, 29). Utrumque ergo ad Dei gratiam pertinet, et fides credentium, et tolerantia patientium, quia utrumque dixit esse donatum. Et illud maxime, ubi dicit: Habentes autem eumdem spiritum fidei (I Cor. IV, 13). Non enim ait, Scientiam fidei; sed, spiritum fidei: quod propterea dixit, ut intelligeremus, quia fides et non petita conceditur, ut ei petenti alia concedantur. Quomodo enim invocabunt, inquit, 0898in quem non crediderunt (Rom. X, 14)? Ergo spiritus gratiae facit ut habeamus fidem, ut per fidem impetremus orando, ut possimus facere quae jubemur. Ideo ipse Apostolus assidue legi praeponit fidem: quoniam quod lex jubet, facere non valemus, nisi per fidem rogando impetremus, ut facere valeamus.