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Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching
St Irenaeus of Lyons, tr. Robinson, 1920
Chapter 35
Moreover He fulfilled the promise made to Abraham, which God had promised him, to make his seed as the stars of heaven. For this Christ did, who was born of the Virgin who was of Abraham’s seed, and constituted those who have faith in Him lights in the world, and by the same1 faith with Abraham justified the Gentiles. For Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him2 for righteousness. In like manner we also are justified by faith in God: for the just shall live by3 faith. Now not by the law is the promise to Abraham, but by faith: for Abraham was justified by faith: and for a righteous man the law is not4 made. In like manner we also are justified not by the law, but by faith, which is witnessed to in the law and in the prophets, whom the Word of God presents to us.5
Notes
- Phil. ii. 15.
- Gen. xv. 6; cf. Rom. iv. 3.
- Gal. iii. 11; Rom. iv. 13.
- 1 Tim. i. 9.
- IV, x. 1: ὅτι ποιήσει τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ὡς τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ. τουτέστι τὸ ὑπὸ Παύλου εἰρημένον· Ὡς φωστῆρες ἐν κόσμῳ: cf. IV, xiii. 1.