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This essay explores the meaning of salvific faith and justification in the light of the ideas of the different covenants in biblical history according to Irenaeus. It is argued that Abraham’s salvific justification was declared upon him, not by his human achievement, but by his personal faith as an act of trust in Christ, and this justification bestowed on Abraham was prefigured both for Jew and Gentile in the New Covenant. This nature of faith and justification was somewhat concealed or obscured during the Mosaic, and especially during the Moab Covenant. This concealment by God was necessary because of Israel’s persistence in immaturity, choosing to live in the manner of the rebellious slaves. Therefore it is most reasonable to Irenaeus that salvific justification by faith in the Son was concealed from them by divine design, since the purpose of the covenant included accommodating to its members in their immature condition, weaning them from milk, and eventually cultivating them to become personal friends with God, which is fulfilled in the New Covenant.
