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Christianity Quote by Anonymous

“Luther is credited with being among the first to clearly recognize the biblical teaching that justified Christians are both sinners and saints. He used the Latin expression, “simul iustus et peccator.” This is an essential part of the doctrine of justification because it relates to imputation. In…” quote by Anonymous
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““Luther is credited with being among the first to clearly recognize the biblical teaching that justified Christians are both sinners and saints. He used the Latin expression, “simul iustus et peccator.” This is an essential part of the doctrine of justification because it relates to imputation. In imputation, Christ’s righteousness is credited to our accounts with God. In God’s sight, we become what we are not. We are sinners, but through Christ, we are accounted righteous. But even after justification, we still sin and we are still sinners. Not as far as our status with God goes, but as we live out our daily experience on this earth. This is important to note because later on in church history, the doctrine of justification comes under attack in Protestantism and it is revised heavily in an unbiblical direction. As a result, simul iustus et peccator also comes under attack. However, Luther saw that this was a crucial part of the biblical doctrine of justification. By God’s grace he recovered it for us.””

Anonymous

About This Quote

Source Treat: Luther's Doctrine of Justification, 16th century Reformation

Luther taught that believers are simultaneously sinners and declared righteous through Christ’s imputed righteousness, a tension essential to Protestant justification doctrine.

In simple terms: We are sinners but counted righteous by Christ.

Key Takeaway

Embrace grace while acknowledging ongoing sin.

Themes

theology justification grace humanity doctrine

Mood

reflective serious hopeful

Type

theological educational

When to use this quote

  • personal confession
  • preaching
  • teaching
  • spiritual formation

Key Concepts

simul iustus et peccator imputation reformation faith

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you live out the tension between sin and grace?
  • What does “simul iustus et peccator” mean for daily faith?
A Different Perspective

Some traditions deny ongoing sin, risking legalism or antinomianism.

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