Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 27:75 (Autumn 2023)
Article: Faith Alone: Part II, Understanding Free Grace
Author: David E. Olander

JODT 27:75 (Autumn 2023) p. 129

Faith Alone:
Part II, Understanding Free Grace

David Olander

* David E. Olander, STM, Th.D., Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Languages & Theology, Tyndale Theological Seminary and Biblical Institute

The present article is the second in a series.1 The following are some conclusions from the first article. Salvation unto eternal life is always by God’s free grace. Both Abraham and David were justified or declared righteous simply by believing God (Rom 4:1–6). Faith plus nothing –justification by faith alone – is clearly taught in the entire Bible. Scripture – God’s inerrant Word – is perfectly clear on this issue.

Abraham and David were both justified by faith alone. One lived not under law, the other under law. “However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness” (v. 5). Abraham and David both believed that God justifies the ungodly, the godless (v. 6). Obedience in any form – whether to any law, work, decree, act, commandment, regulation, ruling, etc. – cannot save. Faith alone saves for it is all based on God’s free grace.

For what does the Scripture say? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. ⁵ But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works (vv. 3–6).

Abraham and David were both declared righteous on the basic of faith alone, absolutely no works. They trusted in God’s saving grace, for salvation is completely by God’s grace, faith plus nothing (vv. 1–6).

JODT 27:75 (Autumn 2023) p. 130

The apostle then discussed the significance of this Scripture quotation. He pointed out that a worker’s wages are what are owed him because he earned them, and are not graciously given to him as a gift. Conversely, a person who is not working but is believing on (these participles are in the present tense) God who justifies the wicked (asebē, “the ungodly, impious”; cf. 5:6), his faith is credited as righteousness (cf. 4:3). Abraham was the latter kind of person...