How does John 6:28 relate to the concept of salvation by faith alone? Text And Immediate Context John 6:28 : “Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’” John 6:29 : “Jesus replied, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.’” The crowd, fresh from the miracle of the loaves (6:1–13) and still thinking in terms of human effort, frames salvation in the language of plural “works” (ἔργα). Jesus answers with a deliberate singular—“the work (ἔργον) of God.” The contrast collapses every category of merit and redirects it to faith alone in the sent Son. Historical-Cultural Background First-century Judaism often linked covenant standing with Torah-observance (cf. Mishnah, m. ’Abot 2:8). The crowd’s question reflects this milieu. Jesus’ answer parallels Genesis 15:6, where Abraham “believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” anchoring the principle of faith apart from works long before Sinai. Scriptural Harmony With Sola Fide • Romans 3:28 – “a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” • Romans 4:5 – “to the one who does not work, but believes… his faith is credited as righteousness.” • Ephesians 2:8–9 – “saved through faith… not by works.” • John 6:40, 47 – believing equals eternal life. Jesus’ statement in John 6:29 is therefore not isolated; it stands in seamless agreement with the broader canonical witness that justification is by faith alone. Theological Implications: Faith As The Sole Instrument 1. Monergism: Salvation is “the work of God,” not a cooperative enterprise (John 6:37, 44). 2. Instrumentality: Faith is the empty hand receiving, never the meritorious cause. 3. Assurance: Because the basis is Christ’s finished work, the believer’s standing is secure (John 6:39). Common Objections Addressed • James 2:24—James targets a dead, non-demonstrating faith. Genuine faith, the kind Jesus calls for, inevitably produces fruit yet remains the sole condition for justification. • Sacramentalism—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper testify to grace already received by faith; they do not replace faith as the instrument (Acts 10:43–48). • Faith-as-Work Claim—Jesus labels believing “the work of God,” undercutting the idea that faith is a human work meriting favor. Patristic And Historical Witness • Chrysostom, Homily 46 on John: “He requireth nothing else of us but faith alone.” • Augustine, Tractate 25 on John: “Believe, and thou hast eaten.” Medieval glosses (e.g., Glossa Ordinaria) echo the same interpretation, centuries before Reformation terminology crystallized it. Practical Application Because the “work” is faith, the burden of performance is lifted. Repentant sinners, whether illiterate tribesman or seasoned theologian, approach on identical terms—trust the Son. Evangelistically, one may ask, “Have you done the one work God requires—believed in Jesus?” The question bypasses moral résumé and drives straight to the heart issue. Conclusion John 6:28 confronts the age-old instinct to earn favor with God. Jesus’ answer crystallizes the doctrine of salvation by faith alone: the only “work” God accepts is trusting the One He sent. The crowd’s pluralistic query meets Christ’s singular solution, establishing a cornerstone of biblical soteriology that resonates from Abraham to Paul and remains the bedrock of Christian hope today. |
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