Trust me, he knew his Bible inside and out. We are justified by, not through, faith. Faith is evidence of justification not the cause.
This is semantics.
I tried to make it even. Five references for each side but this is not an exhaustive list for either side.
In the
By Faith corner…
Acts 15:9
And put no difference between us and them,
purifying their hearts
by faith.
Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me.
Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall
live by faith.
Romans 3:22
Even the
righteousness of God
which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is
justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
And in the
Through faith corner…
Romans 3:25
Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Galatians 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might
receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:5
Who are
kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We are justified by, not through, faith.
And the referee in the middle?? Well the referee answers the subject of justification specifically.
Romans 3:30
Seeing it is one God, which shall
justify the circumcision
by faith, and uncircumcision
through faith.