What Are the 5 Solas and Where Do They Come From?
- Emma Danzey Contributing Writer
- Updated Oct 17, 2023
The 5 solas are one of the foundations of evangelical theology. It is so interesting to look back on history and see how these truths have influenced Christian leaders from the 16th century up through today. What are the five solas and where do they come from?
Sola is the Latin word for “only.” The five solas are Latin based and include: sola Scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia, sola fide, and soli Deo gloria. In all honesty, I have not heard all of these in my life as a believer. The one that most frequently comes up however is soli Deo gloria, especially around Christmas time.
Matthew Barret from the Gospel Coalition says, “These five statements of the evangelical faith lay at the center of what distinguished the theology of the Reformation from the theology of the Roman Catholic church in the 16th century.” He goes on to explain, “The five solas form the nucleus of the evangelical faith. They not only capture the gospel of Jesus Christ and explain how that gospel takes root in the sinner, but they also define where the authority of that gospel resides and to what end that gospel is preached and proclaimed.”
We will unpack each sola and gain understanding about the purpose and stance of the phrase.
1. Sola Scriptura | Scripture Alone
Sola Scriptura affirms the belief that God gave us His Word and it is set apart and revered. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible is the only written authority of God. The words in Scripture are the Lord’s words that are living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
The Word of God has stood and will stand the tests of time throughout every generation. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
As believers, we can take great hope in the Bible because it helps us to get to know who God is, it equips us for His work in our lives, it reveals sin and sets a standard of godly living, and it encourages us in our hardships. Most importantly, the Bible gives the message of the gospel by showing the way to salvation through Jesus.
2. Solus Christus | Christ Alone
Solus Christus celebrates Christ alone. The emphasis is that only by Jesus we can be saved.
John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” When anyone adds to Jesus or takes away Jesus they miss salvation. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Heaven can only come through faith in Jesus Himself. Anyone or anything that we place above Christ is an idol.
Christ alone reminds us that Jesus is the only one who was and is to come who can free us from the dominion of death and hell. He is the One who loved us so much that He gave His own life and rose from the dead so that we could be with Him.
3. Sola Gratia | Grace Alone
Sola gratia is by grace alone. This is truly the gospel. I once heard a saying, “grace plus theology misses the whole point of grace.”
The pastor was teaching on Ephesians 2:5-6 “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
We are all headed to eternal destruction. There is nothing that we can do to rid ourselves of our sins. When Adam and Eve broke God’s command, they exited the presence of the Lord. After that, our Creator had a plan to send His only Son, God in human form, to come to earth. Jesus paid the price of all of our sins if we accept Him as our personal Savior.
We have grace upon grace in Him (John 1:16) Even though we are humans who fail daily, His grace is sufficient and more than enough for us.
4. Sola Fide | Faith Alone
Sola fide is faith alone. When we try to bring something to the table for our own salvation it is equivalent to filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Faith will produce good works in our lives, but they are an overflow out of the work of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.
However, we cannot earn our way to heaven. We have to have faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is the gate and it is only through Him that we can enter into the kingdom of God (John 10:9).
I have found that every religion except Christianity attempts to work their way to heaven or “become their own god.” Jesus is different because it is only by His free gift that we can enter Heaven one day. It is only by His blood that we can be restored into right relationship with our Creator God. On top of that, He is so gracious to give us His Holy Spirit who is with us always.
5. Soli Deo Gloria | God’s Glory Alone
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” We exist to bring God glory. Our very makeup is created to worship. When we live out our purposes, we are pointing to the Lord.
Soli Deo gloria reminds us to give God the glory alone. No other person, not even ourselves deserve praise. When we accomplish that goal or do well on that project, we might have stewarded the gifts, but God gave the giftings. He deserves the credit.
Like an Olympic athlete has a name and a purpose, his ultimate victory is for his nation. We have a role to play in the kingdom of God. Ultimately it is for the glory of Christ and His victory that we share in. 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When we combine these sola statements we understand the full picture of Christian beliefs. We believe in the Holy Scriptures, that Jesus is the only way to salvation, it is by His grace we are saved, it is through faith in Him that we have eternal life, and all the glory goes to God. Excitement stirs in my heart when I think about these statements as the foundations and truths that build up our faith as the body of Christ.
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