Salvation by Faith and Works

The Catholic Church teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, but not by faith alone. This is not a denial of faith’s central role—it is an affirmation of the fullness of the Gospel as revealed in Scripture.

St. James states clearly, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). This is the only place in Scripture where the phrase “faith alone” is used—and it is specifically rejected.

At the same time, St. Paul teaches, “By grace you have been saved through faith... not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Yet he continues in verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Faith is the beginning of our response to God's grace, but it must be alive and active, expressed through love (Galatians 5:6). In the Catholic view, faith and works are not opposed—they cooperate in the life of grace, just as Scripture itself affirms.