Question 109 — Of the Necessity of Grace

We must now consider the exterior principle of human acts, i.e., God, insofar as, through grace, we are helped by Him to do right: and, first, we must consider the grace of God; second, its cause; third, its effects.

The first point of consideration will be threefold: for we shall consider (1) The necessity of grace; (2) grace itself, as to its essence; (3) its division.

Under the first head there are ten points of inquiry:

(1) Whether without grace man can know anything?

• (2) Whether without God’s grace man can do or wish any good?
• (3) Whether without grace man can love God above all things?
• (4) Whether without grace man can keep the commandments of the Law?
• (5) Whether without grace he can merit eternal life?
• (6) Whether without grace man can prepare himself for grace?
• (7) Whether without grace he can rise from sin?
• (8) Whether without grace man can avoid sin?
• (9) Whether man having received grace can do good and avoid sin without any further Divine help?
• (10) Whether he can of himself persevere in good?