- Whether before sin sacraments were necessary to man?
Whether before sin sacraments were necessary to man?
Objections
❌ Objection 1 : It seems that before sin sacraments were necessary to man. For, as stated above (Article [1], ad 2) man needs sacraments that he may obtain grace. But man needed grace even in the state of innocence, as we stated in the FP, Question [95], Article [4] (cf. FS, Question [109], Article [2]; FS, Question [114], Article [2]). Therefore sacraments were necessary in that state also.
❌ Objection 2 : Further, sacraments are suitable to man by reason of the conditions of human nature, as stated above (Article [1]). But man's nature is the same before and after sin. Therefore it seems that before sin, man needed the sacraments.
❌ Objection 3 : Further, matrimony is a sacrament, according to Eph. 5:32: "This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the Church." But matrimony was instituted before sin, as may be seen in Gn. 2. Therefore sacraments were necessary to man before sin.