Jerome of Stridon

Jerome of Stridon was one of the greatest biblical scholars of the early Church. Born in the region of Dalmatia, he received a classical education and became famous for his mastery of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. After years of study, travel, and ascetic discipline, Jerome eventually settled in Bethlehem, where he devoted himself to Scripture, translation, commentary, and theological writing.

Jerome is best known for producing the Latin Vulgate, a translation of the Bible that profoundly shaped the Western Church for centuries. Though often sharp in controversy, he was driven by a deep conviction that Christians must return to the text of Scripture itself. His life remains a powerful witness to the importance of biblical study, careful translation, and reverence for the Word of God.

Icon of a bearded saint holding a jeweled book and blessing gesture.

Jerome of Stridon (ca. 347–420)

“But to him, who worketh not but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is imputed for righteousness. When an ungodly man is converted, God justifies him through faith alone, not on account of good works which he possessed not: otherwise, on account of his deeds of ungodliness, he ought to have been punished. Observe: he doth not say, that a sinner is justified through faith, but an ungodly man; that is, one who hath lately become a believer, according to the purpose of the grace of God: who purposed to forgive sins freely through faith alone.”

Pseudo-Jerome, In Rom. 4:5, PL 30:663A–C; trans. Faber, Primitive Doctrine, 120–121. [bold added]

“He who with all his spirit has placed his faith in Christ, even if he die in sin, shall by his faith live forever. Otherwise this death is common, and is due equally to believers and unbelievers; and all alike will rise again, some to everlasting shame, others, because they believe, to everlasting life. And thus it can stand that he who believes in Christ does not die, and that even if he has died, he lives forever.”

Jerome, Ep. 119.7 (to Minervius and Alexander), PL 22:973; trans. Goldhammer in Le Goff, Birth of Purgatory, 61. [bold added]

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