So many can quote Eph 2:8, but few actually understand what it says.
Uncle Simon wrote:
Christ saves. His faithfulness saves. And then there is Ephesians 2.8: “By grace are you all saved [through] faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” That is self explanatory but I’ll spell it out for you. The salvation that Christ gives is made effective through faith (which itself is the gift of God). It is all God, yet man is there, too, somehow. Not God Himself with Himself, or God the Father with the Son and the Holy Spirit. God saves man. You. Or if you prefer, you. No capital letter.
Uncle Simon,
Thanks for stating your interpretation of Eph 2:8.
What seems self-explanatory to me is this:
- The gift spoken of is the salvation by God's grace through the faithfulness of Christ.
- There is nothing said about faith as the gift of God here even though that idea is very common and popular. It is self-explanatory that a man in the condition stated in verses 1-5 is plainly incapable of believing unless he has first been given salvation freely by God's grace, which is through the faithfulness of Christ ALONE. Of course, many believe otherwise, even though anti-scriptural, and illogical.
- The salvation by God's grace through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ is FREELY MADE EFFECTUAL to a man dead in trespasses and sins. The gift of salvation already freely made effectual makes believing possible.
- The gift of salvation is not conditioned upon believing or anything else. However, believing does MAKE MANIFEST or EVIDENCE the salvation that has been freely made effectual.
- Believing is very important. It manifests and evidences salvation by grace. It does NOT make salvation effectual. Eating is very important, it evidences life as well as nourishing it; most certainly it does not give life to a dead man.
Yes, the Triune God is there... freely and sovereignly and effectually ACTING upon a man dead in trespasses and sins (who is, therefore entirely passive), giving him eternal life, and the Holy Spirit to dwell within him. The Spirit of God in him works the grace of faith in him, thus enabling him to believe and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yes, man is there too... but it is a man dead in trespasses and sins, completely passive, when ACTED upon. Having been acted upon, bestowed with eternal life, he becomes active, and manifests the signs of the life that has been birthed in him.
God is EVERYTHING lies in the CAUSE of our salvation.
Man is EVERYTHING lies in the CAUSE in his own condemnation.
Man's VERY LITTLE SOMETHING lies in the EFFECT of our free grace salvation.
Man's very little something is not futile. It is most necessary to make manifest and evidence what God has done.
I believe Jesus ALONE saves, and He ALONE saves EFFECTUALLY, i.e making salvation effectual to a man dead in trespasses and sins.
If I understand you correctly, you also believe that Jesus ALONE saves, but the believing of a man dead in trespasses and sins is NEEDED to make that salvation effectual, otherwise Jesus' work of salvation would remain ineffectual.
Things New and Old
Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.
Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.
Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.
There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.
Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.
Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.
There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.
