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Introduction.
Salvation by grace has been an issue of talking point in Christianity and seventh day Adventist
church as well. The bible is not only a fascinating book; it is informs us about god’s plan for
salvation. There has been so much question that is coming out of salvation by grace and works.
Some scholars also has come out with so many difference view about salvation through grace.
The Oxford English dictionary defines “salvation” as the saving of the soul; the deliverance from
According to Eugene S. Smith on salvation by grace; Of all the great doctrines of the Bible, none
is more capable of arousing the appreciation of man than the idea suggested by the words of the
apostle Paul in Eph. 2:8, 9, where he says, "for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory." In this
statement the kindness and love of God is revealed to such extent that we should be eternally
grateful to God and in our appreciation should humbly submit to His will in all things. However,
in thinking of the doctrine of Salvation by Grace there is a mistake often made that leads to the
wrong conclusion. Some have supposed that the fact that salvation is by grace has precluded and
excluded all response on our part. Some have argued that since it is by "grace" there is nothing
we can do in any way in the matter of our salvation. These arguments are usually summed up
under three headings which are erroneously based on the text of Eph. 2:8.1
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Eugene S. Smith on salvation by grace
The Oxford English dictionary
They are: (1) Salvation being of grace there is nothing we can do toward that salvation; (2) It
being the gift of God there is nothing we can do to receive it; and (3) It being "not of works" we
are excluded from doing anything what so - ever to receive it. Believing the above thoughts to be
entirely wrong and based upon a mistaken understanding of the text we want to examine them
There are divergent views on the meaning of the phrase ‘it is not works but grace that can save
us’ as we can see in Pauline writings Ephesians 2:8-9. This expression has generated a lot of
controversies in Christendom, seventh day Adventist church and in scholarly circles. The
questions therefore are; what at all is salvation about? What was Paul talking about? What does
the expression ‘we are saved by grace not works’ mean? These and others have been the question
many Scholars have tried to answer. Many works have been done on the meaning of the phrase
“we are saved by grace not works” Ephesians 2:8-9 and there have not been any consensus.
The Purpose of this paper is to find out the meaning of the phrase “for by grace you have been
save and not works” in Ephesians 2:8-9. The Significance of the study is to add to existing
Literature on the meaning of the phrase “for by grace you have been save and not works” in
Ephesians 2:8-9 so as to benefit Bible Students, Bible scholars and Christendom as a whole.
This paper will follow an exegetical research process within the confines of
Phraseological study approach to Biblical interpretation. This method will help the
understanding of the Phrase “for by grace you have been save and not works” in Ephesians 2:8-
9. This study is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 consists of the general introduction which
sets the parameters for the study. Chapter 2 surveys various literatures on the meaning of the
phrase “for by grace you have been save and not works” in Ephesians 2:8-9. Chapter 3 is an
exegetical study of Ephesians 2:8-9, focusing on the phrase “for by grace you have been save
and not works” to ascertain its meaning. Chapter 4 summarizes and concludes the study.
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This Chapter reviews various works by Scholars on what it means to be “for by grace you have
been save and not works”. Scholars have different views of what Paul meant by the phrase “for
by grace you have been save and not works” This section summarizes the various views of the
Scholars on what Paul meant. Are Christians required to rely on their works and says that it can
save them? Is the grace a curse and unnecessary for salvation? What should be a Christian’s
attitude salvation? What is the correct explanation of what Paul is teaching about the salvation by
grace? 2According to Arlen L. Chitwood, Eternal salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8,
9), and it is based entirely upon the finished work of another (John 19:30). Nothing which man
has done, is presently doing, or will ever do can have anything to do with his eternal destiny.
Man can do no more than receive, by faith, that which has already been done on his behalf. This
is why Scripture states, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
This is a QUOTES from the Baptist Faith & Message and according to them, Salvation involves
the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new
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Arlen L. Chitwood
creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction
of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine
turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the
B. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all
sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart
to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the
presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the
redeemed.
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Also according to the Student Life Bible Study, Salvation is by faith alone – All human beings
are born with a sin nature, separated from God, and in need of a Savior. That salvation comes
only through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior, as a person repents of sin and
receives Christ’s forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation is instantaneous and accomplished solely
by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This salvation is wholly of God by
grace on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and not on the basis of human works. All the
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Students life bible study.
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soteriology notes studies in the doctrine of christian salvation by jack l. arnold, th.d
comes from the Greek word (sozo) that means to deliver.
1. Salvation is always of the Lord; He is the author and finisher of our faith.
2. Salvation is always from sin. Sin is what puts people into hell. The world has need of a sin-
3. Salvation involves bringing a man out of sin and making him safe
1. God the Father purposed, planned, and provided for our salvation.
The Father gave the thing He loved the most: His Son.
4. When the Father gave the Son, it was for eternity. That makeup of
the Trinity in its expression of activity that had existed throughout all
eternity would never be the same. God had been marred and
identified with humanity. There was no way to bring men to Himself except through the Cross.
The Father had to send the Son to satisfy His own demands.
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. Ibid.
5. To provide eternal life (Jn. 3:16).
8. To provide a way for believers to live with the Lord forever (I Thess. 5:10).
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Is this grace based on works?
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are
And if by GRACE, then it cannot be based on WORKS; if it were, grace would no longer
For you know the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your
sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9
But he said to me, "My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose and GRACE which was granted us in Christ Jesus from
all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who
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. Saved By Grace Through Faith Prepared By Daniel Keeran, Victoria, Canada
abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
– 2 Timothy 1:9-10. So one can gain salvation through God grace alone.