Man's Perfection in Righteousness
412–413
| Name and Summary | Pages |
|---|---|
This chapter introduces Augustine's response to accusations concerning the teachings of Cœlestius, which have been brought to him by his fellow bishops. | 1 |
This chapter explores the nature of sin, emphasizing that sin is avoidable and arises from human weakness, not necessity or natural inclination. | 3 |
This chapter affirms that man is obligated and able to be without sin, emphasizing that God's commands are given in accordance with human capacity and grace. | 3 |
This chapter discusses the nature of human sin, emphasizing that it results from the freedom of choice given by God, which was corrupted by penal necessity following the fall. | 2 |
This chapter explains that all sin manifests either through forbidden actions or omissions of commanded actions, both of which are within human capacity to avoid or perform. | 2 |
This chapter explores the complex nature of human sinfulness, emphasizing that sin cannot be simply attributed to human will or nature alone, but involves the corruption of both by free will and grace. | 3 |
This chapter discusses the impossibility of a person being completely without sin and emphasizes that only through the grace of God and Jesus Christ can true righteousness be achieved. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that true liberation from the "body of this death" is only achievable through God's grace in the afterlife, and that earthly righteousness involves ongoing efforts such as fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. | 5 |
This chapter explains that walking without spot or being blameless refers to striving towards perfection in righteousness, rather than achieving it instantly. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that God's commandments are not grievous when understood correctly, as they are rooted in love and fulfilled through divine grace. | 4 |
This chapter explains that passages from Scripture often cited against believers, such as those from Job, must be interpreted in a nuanced way that recognizes the distinction between being without sin and being without accusation or reproach. | 6 |
This chapter emphasizes that true righteousness and truth in humans are only possible through God's grace, and that all humans are inherently sinful and liars without divine aid. | 3 |
This chapter examines the distinction between departing from sin and having fully departed from it, emphasizing that ongoing progress does not equate to having achieved perfect righteousness. | 2 |
This chapter discusses the nature of God's goodness, emphasizing that only God is truly good in an absolute sense, while human goodness is always relative and dependent on God's grace. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that true purity of heart and righteousness are attainable through sincerely exercising faith, hope, love, and committed repentance. | 4 |
This chapter discusses the apparent contradiction between Scripture passages that acknowledge the presence of sin in all humans and the depiction of Job as blameless and righteous. | 1 |
This chapter discusses the apparent contradiction between biblical texts asserting that no man is justified in God's sight and the presence of righteous individuals in Scripture. | 2 |
This chapter discusses the apparent contradiction between the statements that those born of God do not sin and the acknowledgment that all humans have sin. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that God's mercy and grace are fundamental to human salvation and cannot be bypassed by human willing or effort alone. | 5 |
This chapter asserts that no one is helped or assisted in righteousness without active personal effort and cooperation with God's grace. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that in the regenerate, sin is not due to actual lusts but to their consent, and that everyone nonetheless remains sinful in some sense. | 3 |