Matthew 5:21-26 Bible Study

Sola Gratia: Grace Alone

This episode explores the historical roots of Sola Gratia—the doctrine that salvation is entirely by God’s grace. We trace the debate back to Augustine, who taught that humans can only obey God through His enabling grace, and Pelagius, who argued that people are naturally able to obey without divine help. Pelagianism was condemned as heresy, yet the Medieval church drifted into semi‑Pelagianism, viewing salvation as a cooperative effort between God and man. The Reformers responded by reaffirming grace alone, grounded in Scripture such as Ephesians 2:8–9 and Romans 11:6. Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end.

Matthew 5:21-26 Bible Study

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins His series of six authoritative expansions of the Law. He starts with the commandment, “You shall not murder.” While the Law addressed the outward act, Jesus exposes the deeper issue: the heart. Anger, contempt, and demeaning speech are revealed as the seeds of murder—evidence that sin begins long before any physical action. Jesus teaches that such internal hostility places a person under divine judgment just as surely as the outward act itself.

Sola Fide: Faith Alone

Sola Fide teaches we’re justified by faith alone in Christ’s righteousness. Protestants hold to imputed righteousness; Catholics, per Trent, teach infused grace through baptism, works, and sacraments. Christ alone is our righteousness.

Honest Feedback

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Matthew 17-20 Bible Study

Jesus teaches that God’s law still matters, but true righteousness is more than outward obedience. Unlike the religious leaders who focused on external rule-keeping, Jesus calls His followers to a deeper, heart-level obedience—one shaped by genuine faith, humility, and a desire to honor God in every area of life.”