EW Bullinger

EW Bullinger was an Anglican Priest in England in the late 1800's. I was reading his commentary on Revelation 2 when I realized how much he struggled to explain grace and works. He came to the conclusion that having to overcome in Revelation was different than the Grace of the Ephesians.

Grace can't require the Ephesians to overcome or Overcoming must mean grace is not involved.

Here are his words.

"Ephesus. Not for those addressed in Ephesians, on whom all blessing is bestowed by grace. Here blessing is promised to overcomers only."

It shows how early faith only authors struggled with defining faith and works and grace and works. In his view overcoming was the antithesis of grace. He argued that Christ changed the requirement in Ephesians and Revelations. If you read Ephesians closely it features grace with overcoming.

Eph 6:11  Put onG1746 theG3588 whole armourG3833 of God,G2316 that yeG5209 may be ableG1410 to standG2476 againstG4314 theG3588 wilesG3180 of theG3588 devil.G1228 

God's armour is a grace that enables us to stand. Standing and grace aren't separated. The armour is from God but we must put it on and use it.

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Jesus didn't change his standard at all. Perhaps the first works in Ephesus were exercising the means gifted by God. Using his word and Armour as given by grace.

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 

The letter to the Ephesians was filled with works and grace was involved.