Why Catholics Don’t Believe They Earn Salvation, What James 2:24 Actually Says, and Why Salvation Is a Covenant — Not a One-Time Transaction

by Ron Ash August 31, 2026

What Matthew 23:9 Actually Forbids, How Paul Called Himself a Spiritual Father, and the Early Church Practice That Predates the Controversy

Understanding the Context of Matthew 23:9

One of the most common questions — and criticisms — directed at Catholics is the practice of calling priests “Father.” Critics often point to Matthew 23:9, where Jesus says, “Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” At first glance, this seems like an open-and-shut case. But a closer look at Scripture, context, and language reveals a much richer picture.

Jesus spoke these words in a broader rebuke of the Pharisees — religious leaders who sought titles of honor for the sake of prestige and social status. The full passage (Matthew 23:8–12) also says “call no man teacher” and “call no man master.” Yet Christians routinely use the words “teacher” and “mister” (derived from the Latin magister, meaning master) without controversy.

The point Jesus was making was not a blanket prohibition on titles. He was condemning pride, spiritual arrogance, and the abuse of authority — not the respectful use of honorifics.

The Bible Uses “Father” as a Title — Repeatedly

If calling someone “father” were truly forbidden, the Bible itself would be in violation. Consider:

Stephen, in Acts 7:2, addresses the Jewish council as “Brothers and fathers” — using the exact title Jesus supposedly banned.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:14–15, calls himself a spiritual father: “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
Paul again, in Philippians 2:22, refers to Timothy as a son serving with him “as a son with a father.”
Abraham is called the “father of all who believe” in Romans 4:11 — a title used throughout both Testaments.
The early Christians addressed their elders as fathers, a practice rooted in Jewish tradition where rabbis and patriarchs were honored with the title.

If the Apostles themselves used “father” as a spiritual title without contradiction, the Catholic practice stands on solid biblical ground.

The Role of a Spiritual Father

The Catholic understanding of a priest as “Father” is deeply theological, not merely ceremonial. A priest:

Brings souls to life through the sacraments — particularly Baptism, which Paul describes in fatherly terms (1 Corinthians 4:15).
Nourishes the faithful through the Eucharist and the Word of God.
Guides, corrects, and intercedes for his spiritual children, much like a father in a family.

This is a spiritual paternity — a real, meaningful relationship modeled on God’s own fatherhood, not a replacement of it.

Literal vs. Hyperbolic Interpretation

Biblical scholars across many traditions recognize that Jesus frequently used hyperbole to make a point. When He said “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out” (Matthew 5:29), no one interprets that as a literal surgical instruction. Similarly, “call no man father” is understood as a warning against spiritual pride and misplaced authority — not a prohibition on a word.

A literal reading would also forbid calling your biological dad “father” — something no Christian tradition actually teaches.

A Tradition Rooted in the Early Church

The use of “Father” for priests is not a medieval invention. Early Church writings — including those of Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD), Clement of Alexandria, and Origen — reflect a community that honored its spiritual leaders with fatherly titles. This practice predates many of the theological disputes of later centuries and connects modern Catholics to the earliest Christian communities.

Conclusion

Calling a priest “Father” is not a defiance of Scripture — it is a practice rooted in Scripture, consistent with how the Apostles themselves spoke, and grounded in a theology of spiritual fatherhood that reflects God’s own nature. The title is not about elevating a man above God; it is about recognizing the God-given role a priest plays in the life of the faithful.

When Catholics say “Father,” they are not forgetting who their heavenly Father is. They are honoring the man He placed in their lives to help them get there.

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