Quotes on Sola Scriptura

Sola Scriptura

God’s Word [The Bible]

“Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child, thou have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17)

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:11-17)

Polycarp [Sola Scriptura/ Scripture Access or Availability]

“For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan.” (The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Chapter 8)
“For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privileges is not yet granted. It is declared therein these Scriptures, Be ye angry, and sin not,” and “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Happy is he who remembers this, which I believe to be the case with you.” (The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Chapter 12)

Hippolytus [Sola Scriptura]

“There is, brethren, one God, the knowledge of whom we gain from the Holy Scriptures, and from no other source. For just as a man if he wishes to be skilled in the wisdom of this world, will find himself unable to get at in any other way than by mastering the dogmas of philosophers, so all of us who wish to practice piety will be unable to learn its practice from any other quarter than the oracles of God. Whatever things then the Holy Scriptures declare, at these let us look, and whatsoever things they teach these let us learn.” (Against the Heresy of One Noetus, 9)

Irenaeus [Sola Scriptura]

“We must necessarily appeal to the testimony of the Scriptures without which our discourses are entitled to no credit.” (Homily I on Jeremiah)

“We have learned from none others the plan of salvation than from these through whom the gospel is come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith.” (Ante-Nicene Fathers, volume I, Irenaeus, “Against Heresies” 3.1.1, p. 414)

Tertullian [Sola Scriptura]

“Let heretics be left to prove their points from Scripture alone, and they will not be able to stand.” (De Carni Christi. C. 6)

“Let the shop of Hermogenes show that it is written. If it not written, let him fear that more which destined for those who add or take from Scripture.” (ADV. Hermog. C. 22).

Basil or Basil of Caesarea [Sola Scriptura]

“Without doubt, it is a most manifest fall from faith and a most certain sign of pride to introduce anything that is not written in the Scriptures, our blessed Saviour having said ‘My sheep hear my voice and the voice of strangers they will not hear and to distract from Scripture or to add anything to the faith that is not there, is most manifestly forbidden by the Apostle, saying, ‘If it is but a man’s testament, no man addeth there to.’ (De Faith Vol. 2)

“If custom is to be taken in proof of what is right, then it is certainly competent for me to put forward on my side the custom which obtains here. If they reject this, we are clearly not bound to follow them. Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth.” (Basil of Caesarea, Letter CLXXXIX; A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Series (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983), Page 229)

“Those who are instructed in the Scriptures ought to test the things that are said by their teachers, and to receive what agrees with the Scriptures, and to reject what disagrees.” (Cont. Litt. Petilani, III. 6, Volume IX) also (Moralia. Reg. 72)

“Enjoying as you do the consolation of the Holy Scriptures, you stand in need of neither of my assistance nor of that of anybody else to help you comprehend your duty. You have the all-sufficient counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead you to what is right.” (Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (Peabody: Hendrinkson, 1995), Second Series: Volume VIII, Basil: Letters and Select Works, Letter CCLXXXIII, p. 312.)
Cyril of Jerusalem [Sola Scriptura]
“In regard to the divine and holy mysteries of the faith, not the least part may be handed on without the Holy Scriptures. Do not be led astray by winning words and clever arguments. Even to me, who tell you these things, do not give ready belief, unless you receive from the Holy Scriptures the proof of the things which I announce. The salvation in which we believe is not proved from clever reasoning, but from the Holy Scriptures.” (Catechetical Lectures, 4:17)
“12. But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered51 to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures. For since all cannot read the Scriptures, some being hindered as to the knowledge of them by want of learning, and others by a want of leisure, in order that the soul may not perish from ignorance, we comprise the whole doctrine of the Faith in a few lines. This summary I wish you both to commit to memory when I recite it52 , and to rehearse it with all diligence among yourselves, not writing it out on paper53 , but engraving it by the memory upon your heart54 , taking care while you rehearse it that no Catechumen chance to overhear the things which have been delivered to you. I wish you also to keep this as a provision55 through the whole course of your life, and beside this to receive no other, neither if we ourselves should change and contradict our present teaching, nor if an adverse angel, transformed into an angel of light56 should wish to lead you astray. For though we or an angel from heaven preach to you any other gospel than that ye have received, let him be to you anathema57 . So for the present listen while I simply say the Creed58 , and commit it to memory; but at the proper season expect the confirmation out of Holy Scripture of each part of the contents. For the articles of the Faith were not composed as seemed good to men; but the most important points collected out of all the Scripture make up one complete teaching of the Faith. And just as the mustard seed in one small grain contains many branches, so also this Faith has embraced in few words all the knowledge of godliness in the Old and New Testaments. Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions59 which ye now receive, and write them an the table of your heart.” (Catechetical Lectures, 5:12)
Gregory of Nyssa [Sola Scriptura]
The generality of men still fluctuate in their opinions about this, which are as erroneous as they are numerous. As for ourselves, if the Gentile philosophy, which deals methodically with all these points, were really adequate for demonstration, it would certainty be superfluous to add a discussion on the soul to those speculations. But while the latter proceeded, on the subject of the soul, as for in the direction of supposed consequences as the thinker pleased, we are not entitled to such license, I mean that of affirming what we please; we make the Holy Scriptures the rule and measure of every tenet; we necessarily fix our eyes upon that, and approve that alone which may be made to harmonize with the intention of those writings.” (Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic Treatises “On the Soul and the Resurrection”, p. 439. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series: Volume V.)
Jerome [Sola Scriptura]

“As we accept those things that are written, so we reject those things that are not written (in Scripture)” (Adv. Helvid.).”

“These things which they invent, as if by Apostolic tradition, without the authority of Scripture, the sword of God smites.” (In Aggari. Proph. Cap. I. II).

Athanasius [Sola Scriptura]

“Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith’s sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrines so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ announced in divine Scripture.” (De Synobis, 6)

Crysostom [Sola Scriptura]

“All things are plain and simple in Holy Scriptures; all things necessary are evident.” (Homily 3 de. Laz.)

“That may not be considered Catholic, which appears contrary to the statements of Scripture.” (Homily on Adam and Eve)

“You have an exact standard and rule of all things. I beseech you, do not regard what this or that man thinks, but enquire all things of the Scriptures.” (2 Corinthians 6 Homily 13)

Augustine [Sola Scriptura]

“This Mediator (Jesus Christ), having spoken what He judged sufficient first by the prophets, then by His own lips, and afterwards by the Apostles, has besides produced the Scripture which is called canonical, which has paramount authority, and to which we yield assent in all matters of which we ought not be ignorant, and yet know of ourselves.” (St. Augustine, City of God, Book XI, Chapter 3)

“what more can I teach you, than what we read in the Apostles? For holy Scripture setteth a rule to our teaching, that we dare not “be wise than it behoveth to be wise.” (St. Augustine, City of God, Book XI, Chapter 3)

“The mediator (Jesus Christ), first through the Prophets, then by his own lips, afterwards through the Apostles, revealed whatever he considered necessary. He also inspired the Scriptures, which is regarded as canonical and of supreme authority and to which we give credence concerning all those truths we ought to know and yet, of ourselves, are unable to learn.” (City of God, copyright 1958 by Fathers of the Church, Inc., edited by Vernon J. Bourke, ISBN 0-385-02910-1, page 207).

“For holy Scripture setteth a rule to our teaching, that we dare not be wise more than it behoveth to be wise.”…Be it not therefore for me to teach you any other thing, save to expound to you the words of the Teacher, and to treat the mass the Lord shall give me.” (Augustine, De Bono Viduitatis (On the Good of Widowhood).

Martin Luther [Sola Scriptura]

“"Daily I feel how difficult it is to divest oneself of scruples long entertained. Oh! The pain it has cost me, though with the Scriptures before me, to justify myself to myself, for daring singly to set myself up against the Pope, and hold him as Antichrist! What tribulations have I not suffered! How often have I not addressed to myself in bitterness of the spirit the arguments of the Papists: 'Art thou alone wise? Are all others in error? Can they have been so many years deceived? What if thou deceivest thyself, and draggest along with thee in thy error so many souls to everlasting damnation?' Thus I used to argue within myself until Jesus Christ with His own, His infallible Word, fortified me, and strengthened my soul against such arguments, as a rock raised above the waves laughs their fury to scorn." (Letters, Vol. 2, p. 107.)

John Knox [Sola Scriptura]
“Chapter 19
The Authority of the Scriptures
As we believe and confess the scriptures of God sufficient to instruct and make the man of God perfect, so do we affirm and avow the authority of the same to be of God, and neither to depend on men nor angels.[1] We affirm, therefore, that such as allege the scripture to have no authority, but that which is received from the kirk, to be blasphemous against God, and injurious to the true kirk, which always hears and obeys the voice of her own Spouse and Pastor, but takes not upon her to be mistress over the same.[2]
1. 1 Tim. 3:16-17.
2. John 10:27. “ (The Scottish Confession of Faith, 1560)

Cyril Lucaris [Sola Scriptura]

“Chapter2. We believe the Holy Scripture to be given by God, to have no other author but the Holy Spirit. This we ought undoubtedly to believe, for it is written. We have a more sure word of prophecy, to which you do well to take heed, as to light shining in a dark place. We believe in the authority of the Holy Scripture to be above the authority of the Chruch. To be taught by the Holy Spirit is a far different things from being taught by man; for man may through ignorance err, deceive and be deceived, but the word of God neither deceives nor is deceived, nor can err, and is infallible and has eternal authority.” (The Confession of Cyril Lucarius, Chapter II)