By Faith Alone

In William Shakespeare’s Henry V, Shakespeare depicts a young King Henry praying to God for favor. While praying, he lists the “good” work that he does but simultaneously wrestles with the knowledge that in the end his “good” works do not amount to anything of eternal consequence as relates to his standing before God: “More will I do; though all that I can do is nothing worth” (Kenneth Morefield, “11 Films that Capture the Themes of Galatians,” The Gospel Coalition, April 20, 2018, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/11-films-capture-themes-galatians/). This prayer by Henry highlights the tension in Galatians and a tension we experience in our life today. What makes us right with God: our faith, or the work we do? In Galatians 2, Paul demonstrates that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.