22/10/17 Ephesians 2:8-13 “Faith is man’s response to the character of God”

 

Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

 

Note that this is continuing with the theme that was introduced earlier in this chapter in Vs 5 - by grace ye are saved, or by grace you have been saved (Perfect tense).

This is that verse so often grammatically abused by those who so much desire that faith be established as the gift of God! Of course, the grammar cannot allow faith to be the gift here, but that doesn’t stop those (generally calvinists) desperate enough from saying that it’s clear that faith is the gift here.

 

Even without looking at the Greek grammar, there are a number of interpretation options available. The gift could be (a) grace (b) faith (c) being saved by grace (d) being saved through faith (e) being saved by grace through faith. The gift is “that” which is “not of yourselves”, but what does “that” represent? The word “that” is used as a pronoun here, in the same way that the pronoun “it” is used further along in this verse to represent the same thing. (The KJV translators have added “it is” to give meaning to the text, where the pronouns “it” and “that” represent the same thing.)

 

So, what is a pronoun? A pronoun is used in place of a noun – or sometimes in place of a noun phrase or clause – that usually precedes the pronoun (often closely). This noun (or noun phrase) is often called the antecedent = a thing which existed beforehand or logically precedes another. It does look like “faith” is the antecedent of “that” but this is insufficient to justify it alone as the best (or only) option available.

So, let’s look further at how pronouns are used. We’ve already seen that pronouns are used in place of a noun (or noun phrase or clause) and that they generally represent something that comes before (antecedent) the pronoun in the sentence.

 

But, pronouns do not have to have an antecedent (EgSomeone broke that window.) and sometimes the noun represented comes after the pronoun (Eg “As he got onto the train, John tripped over.”) And, very importantly, where gender is involved, the pronoun gender must match the noun (but not necessarily the noun phrase or clause). For example, “he” must refer to a male person (or object as is common in many languages). You cannot correctly use a female gender pronoun to refer to a male gender noun. And, although it can be acceptable to use a male or female gender pronoun to refer to a neutral gender object such as “she” to refer to a ship, it is rarely acceptable to use a neutral gender pronoun such as “it” to refer to a male or female person or thing (Eg “The car hit the girl and severely injured it.”)

 

So, let’s get to the Greek grammar facts here. Both “grace” and “faith” are female gender nouns, while “that” is a neutral gender pronoun. This excludes both “grace” and “faith” from the list of options above. Only options (c), (d) and (e) remain, all being groups of words which represent the main idea of being saved. (A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing or idea.) Therefore, the most Scripturally consistent option for “gift” would be (c) being saved by grace; note that it is repeated from Ephesians 2:5.

 

Note that being saved as the gift of God is also consistent with the rest of the Bible.

Eg the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Grace may also be a gift of God as per Ephesians 3:7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

 

Some calvinists say that even if Ephesians 2:8 cannot be used to prove that faith is a gift, other verses can be used, such as the following:

Romans 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

But, the context here defines “faith’ as a belief system, rather than a trust in someone. Jude 3 also talks of faith as a belief system, that which you believe in, effectively the faith (belief system) of the saints.

ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

 

Gill, in his calvinist commentary, suggests that the measure of faith is related to the measure of knowledge, wisdom and giftings from God.

but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith: such ought to consider that what gifts, abilities, light, and knowledge they have, they have then, not of themselves, but from God; that they have not all faith, and all knowledge, or do not know the whole of the faith of the Gospel only a measure of it, which is dealt out, divided, and parted to every man, some having a greater degree of evangelical light than others; and that all have some, but none all. (Romans 12:3)

 

So, the simple (and also correct) meaning behind Ephesians 2:8 is “For by the grace of God (by His unmerited favour toward you) you have been saved (note the Perfect tense of “saved”) (as per Romans 10:13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.) through your faith (your positive response to the promises of God); this (your salvation) is not of your own doing but has been given to you as the gift of God.”

 

Even Calvin teaches that the gift is salvation by grace and that man brings nothing to the process except his faith alone.

If, on the part of God, it is grace alone, and if we bring nothing but faith, which strips us of all commendation, it follows that salvation does not come from us. ….. Faith, then, brings a man empty to God, that he may be filled with the blessings of Christ. And so he adds, not of yourselves; that claiming nothing for themselves, they may acknowledge God alone as the author of their salvation. (Commentary on Ephesians 2:8)

Instead of what he (Paul) had said, that their salvation is of grace, he now affirms, that “it is the gift of God.” Instead of what he had said, Not of yourselves,he now says, Not of works.Hence we see, that the apostle leaves nothing to men in procuring salvation (Commentary on Ephesians 2:9)

 

Ephesians 2:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

The plan and working of the redemption of man was not of any works of any man but wholly of God alone. It is not faith that saves us but the One in whom we have faith who saves us. It is not the calling upon the name of the Lord that saves us but the One upon whom we call who saves us. We may make a decision of our own free will, but that decision on its own cannot do anything toward our salvation. It is God alone who carries out all His promises without any input of works from any person at all. Thus, while we may call upon the name of the Lord to be saved, we cannot boast of any input of our own that assisted God in the process of redemption.

 

Those who have the mistaken idea that we might gain admittance to God’s presence for eternity by any of our own works (that is, without Christ) will be found to be lacking sufficient works (be in debt) when judged by God.

Romans 4:4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

 

Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

his workmanship – the works of God as Creator

created – formed; shaped; completely change or transform. Thus, it must be in some way similar to being the new creation of 2 Corinthians 5:17.

worksergon (business; what occupies a person; enterprise’ industry; anything accomplished by hand) Note “monergism” and “synergism”.

hath before ordained – to prepare before; to make ready beforehand. This has more to do with simply preparing beforehand that we should walk according to the salvation that God has bestowed upon us. As part of that salvation, we are predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). That is, God has beforehand drawn up a plan for our lives that we should follow. While it is clear that such a plan must have been prepared beforehand, to be “ordained” to such is a stronger term than that actually used here.

ordain – to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law (Merriam Webster)

walk in them – to conduct one’s life according to the requirements of these good works

 

 “For we are the works of God the Creator, being made a new creation in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works (living a life in obedience to God); God beforehand planned that we should walk according to these good works (that we should live lives in obedience to God’s desire for our lives in Christ).

 

There is a contrast between the work of God in salvation (Vs 9) and the works that God has planned beforehand that we should do as a consequence of our salvation, those works which would demonstrate our faith (James 2:17-26).

 

Ephesians 2:11Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

 

Gentiles in the flesh – physically Gentiles. Note that a Gentile could be a spiritual Jew (son of Abraham) while the physical Jew might not be a spiritual Jew.

Romans 2:28-2928 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Romans 4:12-1312 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

 

Christian Gentiles were not necessarily physically circumcised, but were spiritually circumcised. Thus, this verse is saying that the Gentiles were called the uncircumcised (in the flesh) by those who were the physically circumcised (in the flesh, that is, with hands), that is, the Jews. The Jews were (originally) God’s chosen people, set apart for His purposes; circumcision was the outward sign of their elect status with God. The Gentiles had no such outward (fleshly) sign, and the Jews made sure they knew this well, even in Paul’s day. Note the number of occurrences where the Jews were contemptuous of the Gentiles because they were uncircumcised and therefore unacceptable to God.

 

Of course, Paul, in Romans, made it clear that it was spiritual, not fleshly, circumcision that mattered. Also see:-

Colossians 2:10-1210 And ye are complete (pleroo) in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

 

Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

 

without – or “separated from”

being aliens – alienated; estranged; shut out of fellowship and intimacy. Perfect tense, which means a completed action in the past.

commonwealth – administration of civil affairs; state or commonwealth; citizenship and the rights of a citizen.

strangers – foreigner; alien; without a share in.

covenants – testament or will; a compact; make an arrangement which is legally valid or binding. Particularly noting the Abrahamic covenant.

promise – promise; a promised good or blessing.

without Godatheos

 

“That (Since) at that time (in the past, being Gentiles in the flesh, uncircumcised) you were without (separated from) Christ, being shut out of fellowship from the citizenship that Israel enjoyed, and without a share in the binding covenants of the promise (guaranteed blessings) of God, having no hope (without expectation of good for the future), and without God (atheos) in the world (kosmos).”

 

This is an explanation (as per Vs 11) which sought to remind them of their state before Christ.

Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Be mindful of when you were without Christ, aliens from the rights of citizenship that Israel enjoyed, without a share in the promises of God, and thus without any hope for the future, being without God (atheists?) in (among) the world (that is, its population).

 

Ephesians 2:13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 

But – this denotes effectively the other side of the coin, the contrast now to what they had once been. Once they were without Christ, but now they are in Christ. Once they had been distant (from God), but now they had been brought near (to God) through the blood sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

 

sometimes – once; formerly; at some time in the past.

far off – a great way away, that is, distant.

bloodhaima (blood of man or animals; the seat of life; bloodshed; blood shed by violence, slaying or murder) From this Greek word we get our word “haemoglobin” (an iron-containing protein in blood) and “haematite” (iron ore – a mineral the colour of blood)

 

This verse now leads into the rest of Ch.2 which culminates in the edifying of the body of Christ (the Church) into a holy temple fit for the habitation of God. No-one may approach God without being holy as He is holy. Our sin is the ultimate and impenetrable barrier that cannot be overcome.

Hebrews 12:29For our God [is] a consuming fire.

1 Timothy 6:16aWho only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see:

Exodus 33:20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 33:13-1413 Hear, ye [that are] far off, what I have done; and, ye [that are] near, acknowledge my might. 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

 

Even God, who is sovereign over all creation, cannot by His own law accept sin into His presence. The blood of Christ is therefore that which makes the difference between being far off and being near to God. Only that which can remove the barrier of sin may permit man to approach God. No amount of covering up (as Old Testament atonement did) is able to hide sin forever. Only the blood payment of the perfect Lamb could remove that barrier.

 

And, that barrier had to be for all people, for how else might the offence of the sin of mankind be dealt with if even one man remained with sin that offended God. That the account was paid (“It is finished!”) is clear evidence that not one sin remained to be paid for. God’s sacrifice paid the full price required to redeem all mankind; it therefore makes little sense to pay for some of mankind when most of mankind remains an offence to a holy God. We’ll look at this in more detail next time.

 

Calvinists have a great need to have to prove that God saves people without any input from man whatsoever. Due to the doctrines taught by Calvin, they have to teach that no man may come to Christ, not even be able to come to Christ at all. This is their doctrine of the total inability, (sometimes given the more correct term of the total depravity) of mankind. No matter that the Bible actually says that no man seeks after God, which fails to prove that man cannot come to God.

 

However, it is the gospel that gives light to a man’s understanding; it is the word of the gospel that overcomes the blindness that satan applies to the lost so that they might not see that gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:3-43 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

And it is the word of that gospel that triggers faith in a person, as per Romans 10:17So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

A person hears the word of the gospel, and he knows it is God speaking. He has a choice, to believe and accept it by faith, or to disbelieve and thus to reject it through lack of faith. And that acceptance by faith leads to him calling upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Thus faith (man’s response to the character of the God who promises to save to the uttermost) must come before God may act in saving a person.

 

But the calvinist says that God chooses who will be saved, not man. As calvinist Paul Washer says, My friend, Jesus is Lord of your heart and if He wants to come in, He will kick the door down. And as calvinist Todd Friel is fond of reminding us, Brace yourself for this one: with very few if any exceptions, anyone who asked Jesus into their hearts to be saved…is not. If you asked Jesus into your heart because you were told that is what you have to do to become a Christian, you were mis-informed.

That is, you do not choose God; God chooses you!

 

Thus, note their desperate efforts to prove that we can do nothing before we are saved, and that means not even being able to have faith in God. No, they say, faith in God is not something we can exhibit; instead, it is something God gives to you, and if He doesn’t give faith to you, you cannot be saved! The calvinist even teaches that God doesn’t give you faith until after you have been born again. They quote John 3:3 to “prove” that you cannot believe until after you have been regenerated.

As one calvinist from Living Springs says, “John 3:3 (a man must be born again first before he can repent and believe.) In this super clear verse our Lord and Saviour himself tells Nicodemus that he cannot even see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, surely that puts to rest that regeneration must take place first and foremost.

 

From Studies in the Atonement by Robert Morey, Christ places regeneration by the Spirit as a requirement before one can “see”, i.e., believe or have faith in the Kingdom of God. He states quite emphatically that a sinner who is born of the flesh cannot believe the good news of the Kingdom until he is born by the Spirit. Thus according to the teaching of Christ, we believe because we are “born again.” We are not “born again” because we believe!

These are statements born, not of genuine scholarship, but of desperation!

 

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