'For by grace are ye saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works,
lest any man should boast.'
(Eph 2:8-9)
Hello there,
The fact that the word, 'faith', is followed immediately by the word, 'that', has led some to teach from this passage that 'faith is the gift of God'. There is such a thing as 'faith, the gift of God', but it is a special gift to one who is already a believer (1Corinthians 12:9):-
'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; ... ... ... '
(1 Cor. 12:7-11)
* Faith is the medium through which we are saved, and grace is the cause, 'it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure'. (Romans 4:16). Grace imparts, faith receives.
* It is SALVATION which is the gift of God, and not faith, which is simply the medium by which it is received. It is a grace by faith salvation that we have received by the mercy of God.
Praise His Holy Name!
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works,
lest any man should boast.'
(Eph 2:8-9)
Hello there,
The fact that the word, 'faith', is followed immediately by the word, 'that', has led some to teach from this passage that 'faith is the gift of God'. There is such a thing as 'faith, the gift of God', but it is a special gift to one who is already a believer (1Corinthians 12:9):-
'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; ... ... ... '
(1 Cor. 12:7-11)
* Faith is the medium through which we are saved, and grace is the cause, 'it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure'. (Romans 4:16). Grace imparts, faith receives.
* It is SALVATION which is the gift of God, and not faith, which is simply the medium by which it is received. It is a grace by faith salvation that we have received by the mercy of God.
Praise His Holy Name!
Thank you

In Christ Jesus
Chris