Just as I am, Without One Plea

Just as I am, Without One Plea is a hymn text by Charlotte Elliott (1835) in 8.8.8.6 meter. Found in bh08 307, ch95 339, elw 592, gtg 442. Sung to WOODWORTH.

The hymn embodies Lutheran theology of justification by grace through faith, emphasizing that salvation rests entirely on Christ's work rather than human merit or worthiness. It expresses the evangelical conviction that Christ accepts sinners as they are, perfectly aligned with Lutheran teaching on forensic justification.

History & Background

Charlotte Elliott wrote this hymn in 1835 following a conversation with a visiting minister about conversion. It was first published in her collection 'Invalid's Hymn Book' in 1836 and quickly became one of the most beloved evangelical hymns in English-speaking Christianity.

At the age of 32, Charlotte Elliott (b. Clapham, London, England, Scripture References 1789; d. Brighton, East Sussex, England, 1871) suffered a serious all st. =John 6:37 illness that left her a semi-invalid for the rest of her life. Within a Rev. 22:17 year she went through a spiritual crisis and confessed to the Swiss evangelist Henri A. Cesar Malan that she did not know how to come to Christ. He answered, “Come to him just as you are.” Thinking back on that experience twelve years later, in 1834, she wrote Just as I Am” as a statement of her faith. Hymn writing provided a way for Elliot to cope with her pain and depression— she wrote approximately 150 hymns, which were published in her Invalid’s Hymn Book (several editions, 1834-1854), Hymnsfor a Week (1839), and Thoughts in Verse on Sacred Subjects (1869). Many of her hymns reflect her chronic pain and illness but also reveal that faith gave her perseverance and hope. Just as I Am” was first published in the 1836 edition of Invalid’s Hymn Book with the subheading “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). She added a seventh stanza that same year, when the hymn was also published in her Hours of Sorrow Cheered and Comforted (1836). The Psalter Hymnal prints the four most common stanzas. Widely translated, this hymn has brought consolation to millions.

Hymnal Appearances

• Baptist Hymnal — 307
• Chalice Hymnal — 339
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 592
• Glory to God — 442
• The Hymnal 1982 — 693
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 296
• Lutheran Service Book — 570
• Lift Up Your Hearts — 695
• Lutheran Worship — 359
• New Century Hymnal — 207
• Psalter Hymnal — 263
• Trinity Hymnal — 501
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 388
• United Methodist Hymnal — 357
• Voices Together — 415

Liturgical Use

Service of confession and forgiveness; in response to preaching; for the Lord’s Supper; in evangelistic services as a hymn of invitation.

Bulletin Note

Written in 1835 by Charlotte Elliott during her sickness and spiritual struggle, this hymn became an evangelical touchstone. It embodies Luther's doctrine of justification by faith, declaring that Christ's redemptive work, not human merit, is our only foundation.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Gospel's answer to the Law's condemnation: where the Law exposes our unworthiness, Christ's unconditional acceptance—'just as I am'—proclaims the freedom of justification by grace alone.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From unconditional acceptance through Christ's blood, to the soul's present condition of sin and struggle, culminating in the assurance of divine reception and cleansing

Overview

Written by a lifelong invalid who struggled with her own usefulness and worthiness. It rests the sinner's coming to Christ entirely on two grounds: his blood shed for me and his invitation (st. 1). It rejects self-improvement as a precondition (st. 2), admits doubts and conflicts (st. 3), poverty and blindness (st. 4), trusts the promise (st. 5), and gives itself to Christ (st. 6). Though associated with revivalist 'altar calls,' its theology is the opposite of decision theology: the only plea is Christ's blood and call.

Central theme: Coming to Christ with no plea but his blood and his invitation

Structure

Each stanza begins 'Just as I am' and ends 'O Lamb of God, I come, I come.'

Law & Gospel Shape

Law in the honest description of the sinner (blot, doubt, blindness); Gospel in Christ's blood, invitation, and promise.

Confessional Connections

Faith receives the promise (AC IV, XX); no preparation required (FC II). Lutheran use emphasizes that the 'coming' is itself worked by Christ's invitation (the Word), not a meritorious decision.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Lent; Confession; communion; Baptism remembrance; funerals.

Historical Notes

Elliott (1789-1871), an invalid in Brighton, wrote it in 1835. It became famous in 20th-century evangelistic campaigns.

About the Tune

WOODWORTH (William Bradbury, 1849); ST. CRISPIN (George J. Elvey, 1862).

Scripture References

John 6:37 Matt 11:28 1 John 1:7 Rev 3:17-18 Mark 9:24 John 1:29 Rom 4:5

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Justification by grace alone Unconditional acceptance in Christ Repentance and conversion Assurance of salvation

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Just as I am, Without One Plea" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "WOODWORTH" ↗