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It's not as if grace did one half of the work and free…

“It's not as if grace did one half of the work and free choice the other; each does the whole work, in its own peculiar contribution. Grace does the whole work, and so does free choice - with this one qualification: That whereas the whole is done in free choice, so is the whole done of grace.” quote by Bernard of Clairvaux
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“It's not as if grace did one half of the work and free choice the other; each does the whole work, in its own peculiar contribution. Grace does the whole work, and so does free choice - with this one qualification: That whereas the whole is done in free choice, so is the whole done of grace.”

Bernard of Clairvaux

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Grace and free will each fully accomplish salvation, each contributing its own unique role in the divine process.

In simple terms: Both grace and choice complete salvation together.

Key Takeaway

Recognize both divine help and personal responsibility.

Themes

theology free will grace salvation

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

theological philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Personal decision making
  • spiritual practice
  • ethical responsibility

Key Concepts

Divine assistance human agency cooperation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance reliance on grace with personal effort?
  • Can one act without divine assistance?
A Different Perspective

Grace alone cannot replace personal choice, and vice versa.

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