On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther published his 95 Theses – Reformation Day commemorates this event. At its heart was a Bible verse that turned Luther's life upside down: Romans 1:17. Here you will find 18 Bible verses for Reformation Day, organized according to the principles of the Reformation: by grace alone, by faith alone, scripture alone, Christ alone.
By grace alone, by faith alone
The verses that moved Martin Luther.
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For in this is revealed the righteousness that is before God, which comes from faith to faith; for as it is written: »The righteous shall live by his faith.«
Romans 1:17FaithRighteousness
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For we hold that a person is justified without the works of the law, but through faith alone.
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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
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For we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.
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Now therefore, because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1PeaceReconciliation
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But the righteous shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4bFaith
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For there is no difference: they are all sinners and lack the glory that is to be with God, and are justified without merit by His grace through redemption, which was accomplished through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:23-24Grace
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Not for the sake of the works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has justified us by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:5MercyBaptismal verses
Scripture alone, Christ alone
Verses about God's Word and freedom.
God is our confidence and strength, a help in the great troubles that have come upon us.
Psalm 46:2TrustBaptismal verses
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46:8Protection
For all scripture is given by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16God's Word
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God abideth forever.
Isaiah 40:8God's WordReliability
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, namely the man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5Mediator
Stand therefore fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
Galatians 5:1aFreedomBaptismal verses
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation for whosoever believeth, both Jew and Greek.
Romans 1:16GospelConfirmation verses
Then Jesus said unto the Jews which believed on Him: If ye continue in my word, ye are my true disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierceth even unto dividing soul and spirit, and joint and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12God's Word
No man can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11CongregationAssurance
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Luther's discovery in Romans 1:17
For a long time, Martin Luther wrestled with the question of how a person can stand before a righteous God. While studying the Epistle to the Romans, he discovered: "The righteousness of God" is not a standard by which we fail, but a gift that we receive in faith. Later he wrote that he felt as though he had "entered paradise through open gates". In Romans 3:28, he translated "through faith alone" – a phrase that is still discussed today.
A mighty fortress: Psalm 46
Luther's most famous hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is a poetic adaptation of Psalm 46. That is why Psalm 46:2 and 46:8 are part of almost every Reformation service. The Reformation was also a Bible movement: Luther translated the Scriptures into German so that everyone could read them – the Bible texts on this page come from a later revision of this translation. You can find more verses on the core theme at Bible verses about grace and Bible verses about God's Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse represents the Reformation?
Above all Romans 1:17 ("The righteous shall live by his faith") and Romans 3:28 ("through faith alone"). Also Ephesians 2:8-9 for "by grace alone" and Psalm 46 as the basis for "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".
What do the four "alones" of the Reformation mean?
Sola gratia (by grace alone), sola fide (by faith alone), sola scriptura (scripture alone) and solus Christus (Christ alone). They summarize what mattered to the Reformers.
