Grace Through Faith
As I mentioned last week the original of Ephesians 2:8 is different than many current Bible translations. These differences can have major theological consequences. Modern translations can disagree with the original in 2 ways.
1. Some greek manuscripts have a definite article before faith. Ie “the faith”
2. The words “are saved” are present instead of past tense.
Here is Ephesians 2:8 in the greek textus receptus, the word in bold is the definite article.
Eph 2:8 τη γαρ χαριτι εστε σεσωσμενοι δια της πιστεως και τουτο ουκ εξ υμων θεου το δωρον
It is the same phrase in Colossians 2:12 referring to baptism.
Col 2:12 συνταφεντες αυτω εν τω βαπτισματι εν ω και συνηγερθητε δια της πιστεως της ενεργειας του θεου του εγειραντος αυτον εκ των νεκρων
The phrase "through the faith" doesn't automatically exclude baptism, but is used with baptism in Colossians 2:12.
Since Eph.2:8 and Col.2:12 share this "Through the Faith" comment, and Col.2:12 is tied to baptism, we know through faith does not exclude baptism. You should also notice Ephesians 2:8 is tied to baptism in Eph. 5, everything in Ephesians after Eph.2:8 complies with that concept.
Eph 5:26 ThatG2443 he might sanctifyG37 and cleanseG2511 itG846 with theG3588 washingG3067 of waterG5204 byG1722 the word,G4487 ,
Ephesians 5:26 complies with "Saved by grace through the faith".
You might wonder why some greek versions would be different in Ephesians 2:8, there is a good historical explanation. Most documents were written in Greek or Aramaic, then translated to Latin. Then after Latin became dominant and few greek manuscripts survived, they had to translate from Latin back into Greek. This left a few Greek originals and many Greek copies from latin.
Latin does not have definite articles, so going from Greek to Latin they would be lost, then going from Latin back to Greek they would continue to be lost. Only an original in Greek would contain definite articles, and those that do have articles are likely originals or original Greek to Greek copies.
Notice the definite article in the Textus Receptus before faith, actually says “the faith”.
The reason it isn’t translated in the King James like written in the Textus Receptus is that the KJV was translated primarily out of the Latin into English. It was actually the third language with the 2nd language being one that does not use definite articles. They tried to stay true to the Latin because of political turmoil generated by Catholics if it differed from Latin versions. So in a nutshell:
Original Greek – had definite articles
Latin – did not have such articles, latin readers had to use context in such passages.
English -. Since KJV came mainly from Latin it did not have it in all cases.
Literal greek – through the faith
Though the definite article in Greek does not have the exact same purpose as the article in English, it does change the focus in many instances. Thus, the emphasis in Ephesians 2:8 is the message not just an individual’s personal belief. The definite article can be for distinction or to point back to a previous statement or word.
We are saved through a distinct faith, not just one we personally make up.The article in Ephesians 2:8 may point back to Ephesians 1:13 , "the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation".
In Greek, definite articles can make something abstract such as a law. The actual use in Ephesians 2:8 is a matter of contextual application, but we know it isn’t just a person’s individual belief, if not matching the faith delivered.
Why do people misunderstand Ephesians 2:8? Let’s break it down. It boils down to time and tense.
1. By grace Are ye saved – can speak of people already in Christ, already baptized, or the grace given to the unsaved during election, not necessarily how they got into Christ. Grace is the position after entering Christ as it pertains to forgiveness Romans 6:14-15, or the grace given before time II Timothy 1:9. In this case "in Christ" speaks of God's plan before salvation, our election before the world began. We were "created in Christ Jesus unto Good works", thus we were part of God's plan from the beginning. See Ephesians 1:1-4
The greek present tense is an action begun in the past, but continues into the present, since the present tense is used it could speak of an action started in the past, even before creation, and continues into the present time where God is still saving through Christ. All Christians are benefiting from past actions before creation.
The gifts given to the apostles to teach the faith had begun in the past, would cease, but would have lasting effects to save. This grace fits Ephesians 2:8 very well. "by grace are ye being saved".
saved by grace = election, and the work God did to bring us to the point of salvation. Grace continues after salvation as well, but Grace in Ephesians 2:8 refers as much to the grace bestowed up to our personal salvation. Grace wasn't a one time event but was on going throughout history.
saved by the faith = message.
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Even Abraham and the Israelites under Moses had the Gospel preached to them beforehand.
The definite article in the older greek changes the focus from personal faith to a system of faith.
2. Ye = Christians in Ephesus, they were already baptized and saved. This grace is from creation unto salvation at the appearing of Christ.
3. Saved = present tense, not past tense as many versions. Literally “being saved”. Greek present tense normally refers to on going action. The ABP translation of 2003 has it correctly.
Eph 2:8 G3588 ForG1063 by favorG5484 you areG1510.2.5 being preservedG4982 throughG1223 theG3588 belief;G4102 andG2532 thisG3778 [3 is notG3756 4ofG1537 5youG1473 2of GodG2316 G3588 1gift];G1435
Favor is a good choice of words because it embodies the idea of being chosen beforehand. The idea of election being present in the word. The favor decided before our creation is being carried out from election to reality as faith is exercised.
We also see the word preserved using the same word in 2 Timothy in the KJV,
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
We see that God's predestined plan for Paul didn't end with initial salvation, but divine protection through out the age.
4. In Christ Jesus v. 10 – shows where grace is applied to us. This phrase is used often in Ephesians in reference to people already being in Christ and its benefits. It can also be a reference to the plan of Christ as conceived by God before the world was made.
Grace is God creating us with the ability to do good and have faith, a grace which was unto all creation.The grace spoken of by Paul apart from works is God's decision to save us in the first place, then as it was carried through even into our time.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Man's holiness was possible from creation on.
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Not of works isn't necessarily a comment about God's creation or the salvation process, whether we have any works at all in the process, but God's decision to offer salvation in Christ before creation. The Gentiles were part of election without being part of a formal law.
The choice was not based upon works because we hadn't been created yet. The choice wasn't based upon works because the promise was given in Abraham before the Law was given.
The idea of election is also expressed in Romans 9 in relation to the twins, one was chosen.
Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Not of works is the idea that God's choice of which child, was made before birth, just as God's choice about us was made before creation. Works did not figure into the decision. This can also be seen in Romans 4,
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
It was a promise made for all the seed before we were born. Grace being a reference to election and predestination. Grace made sure the promise reached us. Grace made the promise sure.
Not of Works is a comment about election not process. It is a comment about purpose. Since election embodies salvation from creation to the judgment and is unbroken in application, it can speak of the original decision to save man.
Compare Paul's comment to Timothy.
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Our calling was not in regard to works since it was formulated before creation, but our calling has works.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
This entire passage shows how we are under grace ad not under law, God havig no legal obligation to save a soul. It was all his graciousness.
Saved by grace is a reference to election and the events associated with fulfilling it, from creation to the judgment day.
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Through the faith is a reference to the process
We are called into a faith which we fulfill.
Being called is an act of grace, the invitation is of itself a form of grace, as God extended the invitation through his power.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
1. A worthy life reflecting sincerity.
2. Fulfill God's pleasure, yes we can fulfill God's will as Abraham did. We can't fulfill sinlessness, but we can fulfill the Gospel calling, it isn't too hard for us.
3. Work of faith
We didn't receive the calling based upon works, but we must have works to fulfill the calling. Many Christians today have dismissed the word worthy, but it is the word chosen by the Holy Spirit. Worthy in this sense isn't moral perfection, but worthy in realation to the calling God gave.
As in the parable where invitees had garments that did not reflect the importance of the event, we too can lack the sincerity needed.
Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, I will be ashamed of him in the judgment.
Those ashamed of the word "worthy" may not go to heaven.