Martin Luther's Definition of Faith:

                                An excerpt from

             "An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans,"

                         Luther's German Bible of 1522

                          by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

                      Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith

            from DR. MARTIN LUTHER'S VERMISCHTE DEUTSCHE SCHRIFTEN.

                       Johann K. Irmischer, ed. Vol. 63

       (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), pp.124-125. [EA 63:124-125]

                                  August 1994



            Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream 

       is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by 

       good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they

       speak and hear much about faith. ``Faith is not enough,'' they

       say, ``You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.''

       They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working,

       creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ``I

       believe.'' That is what they think true faith is. But, because

       this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything

       from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn't come from this

       `faith,' either.



            Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives 

       new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us

       completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits,

       our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with

       it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this

       faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't

       stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone

       asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without

       ceasing.  Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an

       unbeliever.  He stumbles around and looks for faith and good

       works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are.

       Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many

       words.



            Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of 

       God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.

       Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy,

       joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The

       Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you

       freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve

       everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who

       has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to

       separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from

       fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard

       against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough

       to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools.

       Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without

       faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.



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       This text was translated for Project Wittenberg by Rev. Robert E.

       Smith and is in the public domain.  You may freely distribute,

       copy or print this text.  Please direct any comments or

       suggestions to: 



                             Rev. Robert E. Smith

                                Walther Library

                        Concordia Theological Seminary

       

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