#Ephesians 2 8 free

This, of course, is in perfect harmony with Paul’s declaration elsewhere that the “gift of God is eternal life” (Rom. Professor Arthur Patzia of Fuller Theological Seminary, who believes, “theologically” speaking, that faith is a gift, acknowledges that “the Greek sentence does not permit such an identification, because the two words differ grammatically” (185).Įven John Calvin interpreted the “gift” of this passage as “salvation,” and not faith (144). Some have objected to this argument, contending that the Greek noun for “salvation” is also feminine, thus it cannot be the antecedent of “gift.” While it is true that the Greek noun, “salvation,” is a feminine form, the verbal construction found here used in connection with a neuter pronoun (“this”) requires that the antecedent must also be neuter, thus, “salvation”, not “faith” (see: Lockhart, 86 Cottrell, 200). Grammatically speaking, there is no agreement between “faith” and “gift.” Faith (pisteos) in the Greek Testament is a feminine form, while “gift” (doron) is neuter gender. “For by grace are you saved through faith and this not of yourselves, it is gift of God.” The gift is the salvation that is implied by the verb “saved.” There is no specifically-stated antecedent for “gift” in this context. “For by grace have you been saved through faith and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God. 2:8), as a proof-text for the idea that “faith” is strictly a “gift,” does not, in fact, teach that idea at all. The submission of a person to this sacred obligation takes nothing away from the sovereignty of God. It thus is quite inaccurate to allege that “believing” is an act of which one is personally incapable.Ĭlearly, belief is an action that has been commanded by God as a means leading to one’s justification. In each of the passages just cited, the Greek verb pisteuo (“believe”) is in the imperative mood - the mood of command. And to the jailor in the city of Philippi, the inspired Paul commanded, “believe on the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31).He admonished his auditors to “believe on the light,” i.e., the illuminating instruction that emanated from him, that they themselves might be enlightened (Jn.The Lord charged those of his audiences to “believe the works” that he was performing, that they might comprehend his relationship to the Father (Jn.

At the commencement of his ministry, Jesus himself commanded, “repent, and believe the gospel” (Mk.The New Testament clearly teaches that belief is a sacredly imposed obligation to which man is required to exercise as a matter of his own volitional ability. If to “believe,” or “not believe,” is an act of divine sovereignty, and is, therefore, beyond human control, then any divine command requiring “belief” would be wholly irrelevant, not to speak of involving the biblical record in theological absurdity.

#Ephesians 2 8 free

Similarly, if it is the case that the Almighty granted man the ability to exercise free will, then the divine requirement that this free will be exercised responsibly (requiring obedience) is not a violation of Heaven’s sovereignty rather, it is an example of the exercise thereof.Ĭalvinists are dead wrong when they allege that in order to preserve his sovereignty, God must be the causative force behind every human action. His sovereignty is limited, however, by his own holy nature. The Lord’s sovereignty is not compromised by his inability to lie.

It thus is impossible for God to lie (Num. 32:4 “faithfulness,” ASV), he cannot do that which would violate his own nature, e.g., practice lying.

The “sovereignty” of Jehovah has to do with his right to act according to his will, and in harmony with his nature.įor example, since God is a Being of absolute truth (Dt. It is a serious misconception to suggest that the sovereignty of God somehow negates man’s free will and personal responsibility. God’s Sovereignty Does Not Negate Man’s Free Will The Swiss reformer’s “fingerprints” are all over the gentleman’s query. With all due respect, your friend is not so much a careful student of the New Testament as he is a disciple of John Calvin.

He cites Ephesians 2:8 as proof that faith is a ‘gift.’ Would you comment on this?” He argues that believing is not something that we do of our own accord instead, it is a ‘gift’ from God. “A friend says that salvation is solely of God’s ‘sovereign grace,’ and that not even ‘faith’ is essential for justification.