3. “For law works wrath, but where no law is neither is there transgression. Therefore it is on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi), that it might be according to grace.” (Rom. iv. 16.)
4. “Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi), we have peace toward God,” etc. (Rom. v. 1.)
5. “What then shall we say, that they of the nations who did not follow after righteousness have attained righteousness, but the righteousness that is on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi). But Israel pursuing after righteousness has not attained to that law. Wherefore? Because it was not on the principle of faith, but as of works.” (Rom. ix. 30-32.)
6. “We also have believed on Jesus Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi) of Christ and not of works of law: because on the principle of works of law no flesh shall be justified.” (Gal. ii. 16.)
7. “Know then that they that are on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi), these are Abraham’s sons. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations on the principle of faith, announced be forehand the glad tidings to Abraham, etc. etc. So that they who are on the principle of faith(sur le principe de la foi) are blessed with believing Abraham.” (Gal. iii, 7–9.)
8. “But that by law no one is justified with God is evident, because the just shall live on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi), but the law is not on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi).” (Gal. iii. 11, 12.)
9. “But the Scripture has shut up all things under sin, that the promise on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi) of Jesus Christ should be given to those that believe.” (Gal. iii. 22.)
10. “So that the law has been our tutor up to Christ,that we might be justified on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi).” (Gal. iii. 24.)
11. “For we by the spirit on the principle of faith (sur le principe de la foi) await the hope of righteousness.” (Gal. v. 5.)
12. “Ye see that a man is justified on the principle of works (par les œuvres) and not on the principle of faith only (par la foi).” (James, ii, 24.)
In Mr. Darby’s commentary the same idea is given out: “The principle on which it (the Gospel) is announced, is faith.” “This righteousness is on the principle of faith.” (“Synopsis,” vol. iv. p. 123.) These passages read as if God were acting on a principle in His mode of justifying sinners; and that sinners are acting on a principle in accepting the method which God puts before them—the principle of faith. Thus, faith is a principle—God is acting on it, and the sinner is acting on it, and both are agreed; and this is justification on the principle of faith and such is the force and meaning of “by faith” (ek pisteos). By this method one has only to come to the conclusion, that as he credits the principle on which God is acting, and consents to it, he is all right. Both God and he are agreed on the principle, and his mind may be at rest; there need be no more about it—peace, peace!