Whether Christ's Passion brought about our salvation by way of merit?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that Christ's Passion did not bring about our salvation by way of merit. For the sources of our sufferings are not within us. But no one merits or is praised except for that whose principle lies within him. Therefore Christ's Passion wrought nothing by way of merit.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, from the beginning of His conception Christ merited for Himself and for us, as stated above (Question [9], Article [4]; Question [34], Article [3]). But it is superfluous to merit over again what has been merited before. Therefore by His Passion Christ did not merit our salvation.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, the source of merit is charity. But Christ's charity was not made greater by the Passion than it was before. Therefore He did not merit our salvation by suffering more than He had already.