---
title: "Question 33: What is justification? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 33: What is justification? Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, o"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-33-what-is-justification/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=163"
---

# Question 33: What is justification? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Scripture proofs: Rom. 3:24-25; Rom. 4:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:19, 21; Rom. 5:17-19; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=163)

## Related reading

- [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-29-how-are-we-made-partakers-of-the-redemption-purchased/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 67: What is effectual calling?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-67-what-is-effectual-calling/)
- [Question 32](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-32-what-benefits-do-they-that-are-effectually-called-partake/)
- [Question 34](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-34-what-is-adoption/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-33-what-is-justification/