Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Merit

A claim to reward for good done — in Catholic theology, real but itself a gift of grace; in Reformation theology, denied to the sinner and located wholly in Christ.

Latin meritum, 'that which is earned/deserved'.

The debate turns on Romans 4:4 ('to the one who works, wages are not counted as a gift'), Romans 11:6, Luke 17:10 ('we are unworthy servants'), and the reward language of Matthew 5–6 and 1 Corinthians 3:8–15.

Medieval theology distinguished condign merit (a genuine claim, under grace) from congruent merit (a fittingness). Trent affirmed that grace-enabled good works truly merit an increase of grace and eternal life. The Reformers rejected merit for the sinner entirely, affirming rewards as themselves gracious.

All sides agree salvation begins in grace; they disagree on whether the justified can, by grace, merit anything.

The core Reformation–Catholic dispute alongside justification; partly addressed by the 1999 Joint Declaration.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.