Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:… If we drew out, in order, the teaching of these verses, it would perhaps fall into something like the following statements. That an affection in the Divine nature is the primary cause of human salvation — "By grace ye are saved." This affection of God is apprehended by the creature's faith — "By grace ye are saved through faith." Though the creature's faith is his own, by the free consent and voluntary exercise of his own heart and mind, nevertheless, in its principle and operation, it is the work of God — "not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Man's salvation, instead of consisting in a single act of God, is His most patient work — "For we are His workmanship." With respect to our new nature, which is the work of God, Jesus Christ is our father Adam — "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." This new nature gives evidence of itself by a corresponding excellence of character — "We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works." These good works are adequately provided for by a prearranged plan of God, and by the nourishment of our new nature in His Son — "Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before prepared that we should walk in them." We must consent to it with our whole heart, that our salvation from first to last is of God and by God. (John Pulsford.) Parallel Verses KJV: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:WEB: for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, |
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