09/09/2026
TWO LATIN TERMS. ONE GOSPEL.
Two beautiful Reformation-era expressions help explain the heart of justification by faith:
EXTRA NOS
“Outside of us.”
The righteousness by which we are accepted before God is not something we discover or produce within ourselves. Our hope rests outside of us—in what God has accomplished for us in Jesus Christ.
«“That I may be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
— Philippians 3:9»
We don't look inward to find a righteousness sufficient to stand before God.
We look to Christ.
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IUSTITIA ALIENA
“Another's righteousness.”
The righteousness that justifies us is not originally our own. It belongs to Christ.
His righteousness is credited to us—not because we have earned it, but because we are united to Him and receive Him by faith.
«“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21»
This is the heart of the great exchange:
Our sin → Christ
Christ's righteousness → us
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HOW THE TWO FIT TOGETHER
EXTRA NOS tells us WHERE our righteousness is found:
➡️ Outside ourselves, in Christ.
IUSTITIA ALIENA tells us WHOSE righteousness it is:
➡️ Christ's righteousness, not our own.
Therefore:
Not my righteousness.
Not my works.
Not my merit.
Not my performance.
Christ alone.
«“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
— Romans 3:28»
And this is why the Christian can confess:
SIMUL IUSTUS ET PECCATOR
At the same time righteous and sinner.
Still a sinner in himself, yet righteous before God in Christ.
«“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1»
Sola fide. Solus Christus. Soli Deo Gloria.
Faith alone. Christ alone. To God alone be the glory.
