This is or that – Ephesians 2:8

There are three keywords in this text: grace, faith, and gift. The perplexing phrase is, “it is.” The text reads, “for by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, least any man should boast.” The question that I put before you is this. What does the phrase, “it is” refer to? Is grace the gift? Is salvation the gift? Is faith the gift? This is the purpose of the blog you are now reading to differentiate what Paul meant when he wrote this verse.

Let us review what Scripture says about a person’s conversion into the family of God. Because of his grace or unmerited favor, our Lord has proceeded with the means by which we can spend eternity with him. The Bible refers saved or salvation as the experience of the transition into the family of God. Both of these refer to God’s nature and intent. Then, faith is the exercise on a spiritual level through which we trust God that what he offers he will do.

Some theologians have alleged that grace is the centerpiece of this verse that became a gift to mankind. Other theologians express a desire to emphasize faith as the gift God gave for people’s salvation. So, is it this or is it that in this discussion? The telling hint to explain this is in the entire verse is found elsewhere. It is, “not of works.”

If Paul were referring to grace, it is likely he would not mention works. Instead,  a more likely understanding is that grace is the gift that God offers to mankind. It is because of grace that Jesus died on the cross. It is because mankind cannot save himself that grace is so necessary. Faith, on the other hand, is the hand of mankind that reaches out and touches grace by conviction and not through works. Faith comes as a result of a recognition by a person that he can trust God in all matters.

Putting these thoughts together, let us more aptly rephrase this text to say, “by God knowing that mankind possesses no ability to save himself, God has extended to him  unmerited favor as a gift that mankind could be saved; not that works would save him, but by trusting in God: which is faith, the believer can reach out to receive the benefits of Christ’s crucifixion for salvation.”