Christian Classics
‹ Summa Theologica

Thomas Aquinas · 1346 of 3516

Article. 4 - Whether a movement of faith is required for the justification of the ungodly?

Objection 1: It would seem that no movement of faith is required for the of the ungodly. For as a man is by faith, so also by other things, viz. by fear, of which it is written (Ecclus. 1:27): "The fear of the Lord driveth out sin, for he that is without fear cannot be "; and again by , according to Lk. 7:47: "Many sins are forgiven her because she hath loved much"; and again by humility, according to James 4:6: "God resisteth the proud and giveth to the humble"; and again by mercy, according to Prov. 15:27: "By mercy and faith sins are purged away." Hence the movement of faith is no more required for the of the ungodly, than the movements of the aforesaid virtues.

Objection 2: Further, the act of faith is required for only inasmuch as a man knows God by faith. But a man may know God in other ways, viz. by natural knowledge, and by the gift of wisdom. Hence no act of faith is required for the of the ungodly.

Objection 3: Further, there are several articles of faith. Therefore if the act of faith is required for the of the ungodly, it would seem that a man ought to think on every article of faith when he is first . But this seems inconvenient, since such thought would require a long delay of time. Hence it seems that an act of faith is not required for the of the ungodly.

On the contrary, It is written (Rom. 5:1): "Being therefore by faith, let us have peace with God."

I answer that, As stated above (A[3]) a movement of free-will is required for the of the ungodly, inasmuch as man's mind is moved by God. Now God moves man's soul by turning it to Himself according to Ps. 84:7 (Septuagint): "Thou wilt turn us, O God, and bring us to life." Hence for the of the ungodly a movement of the mind is required, by which it is turned to God. Now the first turning to God is by faith, according to Heb. 11:6: "He that cometh to God must believe that He is." Hence a movement of faith is required for the of the ungodly.

Reply to Objection 1: The movement of faith is not perfect unless it is by ; hence in the of the ungodly, a movement of is infused together with the movement of faith. Now free-will is moved to God by being subject to Him; hence an act of filial fear and an act of humility also concur. For it may happen that one and the same act of free-will springs from different virtues, when one commands and another is commanded, inasmuch as the act may be ordained to various ends. But the act of mercy counteracts sin either by way of satisfying for it, and thus it follows ; or by way of preparation, inasmuch as the merciful obtain mercy; and thus it can either precede , or concur with the other virtues towards , inasmuch as mercy is included in the love of our neighbor.

Reply to Objection 2: By natural knowledge a man is not turned to God, according as He is the object of beatitude and the cause of . Hence such knowledge does not suffice for . But the gift of wisdom presupposes the knowledge of faith, as stated above (Q[68], A[4], ad 3).

Reply to Objection 3: As the Apostle says (Rom. 4:5), "to him that . . . believeth in Him that the ungodly his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the of God." Hence it is clear that in the of the ungodly an act of faith is required in order that a man may believe that God man through the mystery of Christ.