The Five Solas

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• 1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
• 2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
• 3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
• 4. Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
• 5. Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)
• Summary of the Five Solas

The “Five Solas” are foundational principles of the Protestant Reformation, firmly anchored in Scripture. As Paul said:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NASB2020)

And so the Reformers proclaimed:

“We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.”

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

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The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. It stands above church tradition and human opinion.

2 Timothy 3:16–17
”All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

2 Peter 1:21
”for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Isaiah 55:11
”So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.”

Reformer Quote – Smalcald Articles (1537)
“In those things which concern the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit … only through or with the preceding outward Word.”

2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

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We are justified by faith alone—not by works. Faith is the instrument through which we receive Christ’s righteousness.

Romans 1:17
”For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘But the righteous one will live by faith.’”

Galatians 2:16
”…a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus… since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”

Ephesians 2:8–9
”For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Reformer Quote – Martin Luther (Romans Preface, 1522)
“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace… it is a living and unshakable confidence.”

3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

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Salvation is the result of God’s unmerited favor. It cannot be earned by human effort, but is a free gift rooted in God’s sovereign will.

Ephesians 2:8–9
(See above under Sola Fide)

Romans 11:6
”But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

Reformer Quote – Philipp Melanchthon (Loci Communes, 1554)
“Sola gratia justificamus et sola fide justificamur — by grace alone we are justified and by faith alone we are justified.”

4. Solus Christus (Christ Alone)

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Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity. Salvation is accomplished solely through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection.

1 Timothy 2:5
”For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

Acts 4:12
”And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6
”Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

Reformer Quote – John Calvin (Institutes, 2.15.6)
“Christ is the beginning, middle, and end—from which we must draw all that we need and in which we must seek and find all things.”

5. Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)

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All of life and salvation exists for God’s glory alone. Human boasting is excluded; only God’s name is exalted.

1 Corinthians 10:31
”Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”

Romans 11:36
”For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Psalm 115:1
”Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.”

Reformer Quote – Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q1
”Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”

Summary of the Five Solas

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