Some Protestants claim 1 Clement 32 teaches the Protestant concept of sola fide, that works are not an instrument of justification. For context here is 1 Clement 32
The previous chapter of 1 Clement 31 was about the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, alluding to Romans 9:5 "to them belong the patriarchs."
Clement mentions "From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh" which alludes to "from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all" (Romans 9:5)
Clement's mention of "priests" and "the altar of God" alludes to Romans 9:4 also "to them belong the ... the worship..."
In Romans 9
Whosoever will candidly consider each particular, will recognise the greatness of the gifts which were given by him. For from him have sprung the priests and all the Levites who minister at the altar of God. From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. [Romans 9:5] From him [arose] kings, princes, and rulers of the race of Judah. Nor are his other tribes in small glory, inasmuch as God had promised, "Your seed shall be as the stars of heaven." All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.-St Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 32As noted by the editor, Romans 9:5 is being alluded to, in fact the whole passage is alluding to Romans 9.
The previous chapter of 1 Clement 31 was about the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, alluding to Romans 9:5 "to them belong the patriarchs."
Clement mentions "From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh" which alludes to "from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all" (Romans 9:5)
Clement's mention of "priests" and "the altar of God" alludes to Romans 9:4 also "to them belong the ... the worship..."
St Clement refers to the "glory" of the tribes, alluding to Romans 9:4's mention of "to them belong...the glory".
In Romans 9
though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls--Romans 9:11
"And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus.."
"had done nothing...good....not because of works..."--Romans 9:11
corresponds to
"are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart;"Our independent efforts do not justify any in reference to "by ourselves" and "our own wisdom, or understanding." the reason for our justification from sin was not any effort on our part, but His work of will. If God were to justify us based on future works, it would make it as if we deserved the justification God is granting,
This is saying that when God calls and justifies a man He does not look into the future to look at the works they will do after they are justified so as to make it the reason He is justifying them.
I've been working on a post wherein I show St Clement refutes Protestantism on multiple fronts, including Sola Fide in this passage. In the Protestant mind, Works Alone are what justify, but since we are sinners, then our works are "tainted by sin" and so we need a Substitute to do those good works in our place. But that logic is simply not what's in Clement's mind, nor Paul's, when they say works don't save us. There is nothing wrong with works, nor are they tainted by sin. They simply never did save. Only faith ever saved. So there is no Imputation of Christ's Active Obedience ultimately in view here, needing to be received by us since we cannot do the works ourselves.
ReplyDeleteYep Clement repeatedly reminds people of the importance of good works and seems to allude to James 2 with Genesis 22.
DeleteProtestants especially disregard Pope Clement's claim of authority:
If, however, any shall disobey the words spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and serious danger--1 Clement 59