---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Therefore, when some say good works are…"
description: "\"Therefore, when some say good works are forbidden when we preach faith alone, it is as if I said to a sick man: If you had health, you would have the u..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg"
---

#  Therefore, when some say good works are forbidden when we…

![“Therefore, when some say good works are forbidden when we preach faith alone, it is as if I said to a sick man: If you had health, you would have the use of your limbs; but without health the works of your limbs are nothing and he wanted to infer that I had forbidden the works of all his limbs.” quote by Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg)

> “Therefore, when some say good works are forbidden when we preach faith alone, it is as if I said to a sick man: If you had health, you would have the use of your limbs; but without health the works of your limbs are nothing and he wanted to infer that I had forbidden the works of all his limbs.”

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

## About This Quote

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

Faith alone is insufficient without good works; both are necessary for a living faith.

**In simple terms:** Faith needs works to be meaningful.

Key Takeaway

Combine belief with action.

Themes

faith works Christianity

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

theological inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal moral decisions
- church teachings
- daily kindness
- social service

Key Concepts

theology grace sanctification

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you practice faith through actions?
- Can belief exist without deeds?

A Different Perspective

Works alone cannot replace faith; balance is required.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Faith Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-said-938208/) [Forbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbidden/) [Forbidden Works](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbidden-works-2521508/) [Good work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-work/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Limbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limbs/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Preach Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preach-faith-1085252/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick/) [Sick man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick-man/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Works Forbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/works-forbidden-2521507/)

## Related quotes

> [When some say that good works are forbidden when we preach faith alone, it is as if I said to a sick man: "If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/when-some-say-that-good-works-are-forbidden-when-we-preach-faith/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“When some people say, as they do, that when we preach faith alone good works are forbidden, it is as if I were to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/when-some-people-say-as-they-do-that-when-we-preach-faith-alone-good/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [The Church seems to totter to its fall, almost all life extinct. On this occasion, any complaisance would be criminal which told you, whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-church-seems-to-totter-to-its-fall-almost-all-life-extinct-on/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Faith means making a virtue out of not thinking. It's nothing to brag about. And those who preach faith, and enable and elevate it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/faith-means-making-a-virtue-out-of-not-thinking-it-s-nothing-to-brag-2/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [Faith means making a virtue out of not thinking. It's nothing to brag about; and those who preach faith and enable and elevate it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/faith-means-making-a-virtue-out-of-not-thinking-it-s-nothing-to-brag/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [You cannot preach conviction of sin unless you have suffered it. You cannot preach repentance unless you have practiced it. You cannot preach faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/you-cannot-preach-conviction-of-sin-unless-you-have-suffered-it-you/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/preach-faith-till-you-have-it-and-then-because-you-have-it-you-will/)

[John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/)

> [“What's the purpose of having faith when you know bad things are bound to happen?' 'Then it wouldn't be called faith,' he said, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-d-jones/what-s-the-purpose-of-having-faith-when-you-know-bad-things-are-bound/)

[K.D. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-d-jones/)

> [“And while our families made their way to the church doorsteps to prepare to throw birdseed at us, we hid in the empty church…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-lawson/and-while-our-families-made-their-way-to-the-church-doorsteps-to/)

[Jenny Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-lawson/)

> [Somebody once asked me if I have anything like faith, and I said I have faith in the narrative. I have a belief in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/somebody-once-asked-me-if-i-have-anything-like-faith-and-i-said-i/)

[Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/)

> [“It was all about taking the leap of faith. It said that the fear that stops us from doing what we really want, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/effrosyni-moschoudi/it-was-all-about-taking-the-leap-of-faith-it-said-that-the-fear-that/)

[Effrosyni Moschoudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/effrosyni-moschoudi/)

> [“As a journalist, I have seen things that have scarred me. I have interacted with people who have haunted me. I have heard things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-ling/as-a-journalist-i-have-seen-things-that-have-scarred-me-i-have/)

[Lisa Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-ling/)

> [I should have more faith," he said; "I ought to know by this time that when a fact appears opposed to a long train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/i-should-have-more-faith-he-said-i-ought-to-know-by-this-time-that/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [Live as if you have faith,” she said, “and faith shall be given to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/live-as-if-you-have-faith-she-said-and-faith-shall-be-given-to-you/)

[Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/)

> [Have faith in me Cause there are things that I've seen I don't believe So cling to what you know and never let go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-day-to-remember/have-faith-in-me-cause-there-are-things-that-i-ve-seen-i-don-t/)

[A Day To Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-day-to-remember/)

## More by Martin Luther

> [“It was easy for you to say these things, since you either knew you were not writing to Luther, but for the general public,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/it-was-easy-for-you-to-say-these-things-since-you-either-knew-you/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [In a delightful garden, sowing, planting or digging are not hardship but are done with a zeal and a certain pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-a-delightful-garden-sowing-planting-or-digging-are-not-hardship/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [If you could understand a single grain of wheat you would die of wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/if-you-could-understand-a-single-grain-of-wheat-you-would-die-of/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“God made man out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/god-made-man-out-of-nothing-and-as-long-as-we-are-nothing-he-can-make/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“But the truth will win out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/but-the-truth-will-win-out/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [God wants us to pray, and he wants to hear our prayers-not because we are worthy, but because he is merciful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/god-wants-us-to-pray-and-he-wants-to-hear-our-prayers-not-because-we/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Our office...subjects us to great burdens and labors, dangers and temptations, with little reward or gratitude from the world. But Christ himself will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-office-subjects-us-to-great-burdens-and-labors-dangers-and/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“Our faith in Christ does not free us from works but from false opinions concerning works, that is, from the foolish presumption that justification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-faith-in-christ-does-not-free-us-from-works-but-from-false/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [The works of the righteous would be mortal sins if they would not be feared as mortal sins by the righteous themselves out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/the-works-of-the-righteous-would-be-mortal-sins-if-they-would-not-be/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/do-not-suppose-that-abuses-are-eliminated-by-destroying-the-object/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Romans 3:28”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/for-we-maintain-that-a-man-is-justified-by-faith-apart-from-observing/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [There are only two days on my calendar... today and the day of judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/there-are-only-two-days-on-my-calendar-today-and-the-day-of-judgment/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [ Antichrist is the pope and the Turk \[Muslim\] together. A beast full of life must have a body and soul. The spirit or soul… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/antichrist-is-the-pope-and-the-turk-muslim-together-a-beast-full-of/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [It is not the imitation that makes sons; it is sonship that makes imitators.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/it-is-not-the-imitation-that-makes-sons-it-is-sonship-that-makes/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

[Explore all 1,292 Martin Luther quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

## More Faith quotes

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/)

[St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/)

> [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/)

[Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/)

> [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/)

[Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/)

[Matt Morris (1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-morris-1/)

> [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/)

[Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/)

> [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/)

[Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/)

> [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/)

[Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/)

[Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Therefore, when some say good works are forbidden when we preach faith alone, it is as if I said to a sick man: If you had health, you would have the use of your limbs; but without health the works of your limbs are nothing and he wanted to infer that I had forbidden the works of all his limbs.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Martin Luther"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-forbidden-when-we-preach-faith/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Faith"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-forbidden-when-we-preach-faith/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/879/martin-luther-106_faith_therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-f_2997113.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Therefore, when some say good works are forbidden when we preach faith alone, it is as if I said to a sick…” — Martin Luther",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Martin Luther",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Therefore, when some say good works...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-forbidden-when-we-preach-faith/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/therefore-when-some-say-good-works-are-forbidden-when-we-preach-faith/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
