ISB ~ Romans 3 v28

justified by faith:Faith is a gift of grace that moves us toward God (Phil 1:29). It leads to justification because it leads to Baptism (6:3-4; 1 Cor 6:11).

The object of justifying faith is both personal and propositional:it embraces God as well as the revealed tenets of the gospel. Catholic theology holds that faith does not act alone in this process but reaches out with hope for divine mercy and love for the Lord. Faith manifests itself in the lives of believers through obedience (1:5), love (Gal 5:6), and good works (Eph 2:10).

See essay:Faith and Works at Jas 2.

works of law:For possible meanings of this,See note on Rom 3:20.

• The Council of Trent decreed in 1547 that man, by his own efforts and works, can never merit the initial grace of justification that makes him a child of God and a member of the New Covenant. This grace is an entirely free gift fro

m Jesus Christ conferred in Baptism (Sess. 6, chap. 8) (CCC 1987-2011).