On Paul's Emphasis on Justification by Faith

It may be argue that Paul's impetus for developing the doctrine of justification by faith was a result of theological pragmatism in order to aid his mission to the Gentiles. This is wrong. J. Gresham Machen provides classic advice for understanding Pauline theology:

"The real reason why Paul was devoted to the doctrine of justification by faith was not that it made possible the Gentile mission, but rather that it was true. Paul was not devoted to the doctrine of justification by faith because of the Gentile mission; he was devoted to the Gentile mission because of the doctrine of justification by faith."

- J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1921), 288f.