How To Turn Faith Into A Work!

[Sketo]

What is work...

work
NOUN
works (plural noun)

• activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
• a task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or thing has to do.
• something done or made.

VERB
works (third person present)

• be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one's job; do work.

---

Fill in the blank with one of the following:

1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work

For by grace you have been saved through _____.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

---

Perceiving Christ Crucified as faith worthy is a gift of God in the same way a blind man seeing a sunset as beautiful is a gift of the Doctor who fixed his eyes!
The reason anyone is in heaven is because they discern Christ Crucified as faith worthy... but discerning Christ as faith worthy is the gift of God! If God justly leaves you in your natural, spiritually dead, state you can, and will, only discern Christ as foolishness and willingly reject him as such!... But if God Graciously chose to bring you out of your spiritual dead state, by regenerating your dead spirit, then you will discern Christ as something other than foolishness! You will discern Christ as faith worthy and willingly receive him as such!
This is how the Bible describes faith as a Gracious gift of God.

Your decision directly depends on your discernment! How you perceive determines how you willingly respond to every decision! If you perceive Christ as faith worthy you will receive him as such and act accordingly! If you perceive Christ as foolishness you will reject him as such and act accordingly!

---

Verses that show God working faith in us...

but we preach Christ crucified (gospel), a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called (regenerated), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

“to those who are called” are those who have been called out of there natural, spiritual dead, state into spiritual life and this causes the difference in the discernment of Christ crucified! The “call” produces “faith”!

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus (how?), who (by regeneration) became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, - 1 Corinthians 1:30

“Because of him”... “Christ Jesus”... “became to us” = By the Gracious gift of faith

Paul understood this faith was a gift of God,and not a work of Paul’s own doing, and that’s why he correctly proclaimed...

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. - 1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul is referring to the Gracious gift of faith that caused him to “work harder than any of them”! “though it was not I” is the confirmation that his faith was the gift of God and not his own doing which he further confirms in...

for it is God who works in you (the gift of faith which results in), both to will and to work for his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13

---

Why does faith have to be a gift? And why does God have to be the one to gift it?

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12

The “Spirit who is from God” is necessary in order to “understand the things freely given us by God”!

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

Remember this verse does NOT say “interpreting spiritual truths to those who are” natural! Why?

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14
Natural man must be regenerated, made spiritual man first, in order to understand and believe the Gospel

Now, you might ask, what are these "things of the Spirit of God" which people can't grasp without first being made spiritual themselves? The context makes this very clear. Notice the word "folly" or "foolishness" in verse 14. Whatever "the things of the Spirit of God" are, they are folly to the natural man. Chapter 1, verse 18 shows us what this is: "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The same thing in verses 23–24: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

In other words, what the natural man can't understand is the heart of the Christian message—the word of the cross - without first being regenerated!​

---

Again, Fill in the blank with one of the following:
1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work

For by grace you have been saved through _____.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

---

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. $ Hebrews 12:2

 

[armylngst]

What is work...

work
NOUN
works (plural noun)

• activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
• a task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or thing has to do.
• something done or made.

VERB
works (third person present)

• be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one's job; do work.

---

Fill in the blank with one of the following:

1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work

For by grace you have been saved through _____.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

---

Perceiving Christ Crucified as faith worthy is a gift of God in the same way a blind man seeing a sunset as beautiful is a gift of the Doctor who fixed his eyes!
The reason anyone is in heaven is because they discern Christ Crucified as faith worthy... but discerning Christ as faith worthy is the gift of God! If God justly leaves you in your natural, spiritually dead, state you can, and will, only discern Christ as foolishness and willingly reject him as such!... But if God Graciously chose to bring you out of your spiritual dead state, by regenerating your dead spirit, then you will discern Christ as something other than foolishness! You will discern Christ as faith worthy and willingly receive him as such!
This is how the Bible describes faith as a Gracious gift of God.

Your decision directly depends on your discernment! How you perceive determines how you willingly respond to every decision! If you perceive Christ as faith worthy you will receive him as such and act accordingly! If you perceive Christ as foolishness you will reject him as such and act accordingly!

---

Verses that show God working faith in us...

but we preach Christ crucified (gospel), a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called (regenerated), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

“to those who are called” are those who have been called out of there natural, spiritual dead, state into spiritual life and this causes the difference in the discernment of Christ crucified! The “call” produces “faith”!

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus (how?), who (by regeneration) became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, - 1 Corinthians 1:30

“Because of him”... “Christ Jesus”... “became to us” = By the Gracious gift of faith

Paul understood this faith was a gift of God,and not a work of Paul’s own doing, and that’s why he correctly proclaimed...

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. - 1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul is referring to the Gracious gift of faith that caused him to “work harder than any of them”! “though it was not I” is the confirmation that his faith was the gift of God and not his own doing which he further confirms in...

for it is God who works in you (the gift of faith which results in), both to will and to work for his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13

---

Why does faith have to be a gift? And why does God have to be the one to gift it?

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12

The “Spirit who is from God” is necessary in order to “understand the things freely given us by God”!

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

Remember this verse does NOT say “interpreting spiritual truths to those who are” natural! Why?

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14
Natural man must be regenerated, made spiritual man first, in order to understand and believe the Gospel

Now, you might ask, what are these "things of the Spirit of God" which people can't grasp without first being made spiritual themselves? The context makes this very clear. Notice the word "folly" or "foolishness" in verse 14. Whatever "the things of the Spirit of God" are, they are folly to the natural man. Chapter 1, verse 18 shows us what this is: "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The same thing in verses 23–24: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

In other words, what the natural man can't understand is the heart of the Christian message—the word of the cross - without first being regenerated!​

---

Again, Fill in the blank with one of the following:
1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work

For by grace you have been saved through _____.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

---

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. $ Hebrews 12:2

Another way to think of faith in Salvation. I see it as a reaction, not a work. No thought, no willful expenditure of energy. If you wanted to get married, and you met a woman (well, long flowing locks from behind), and for whatever reason decided this is the one, would your shocked surprise when the man turns around and asks if you will be his wife be a work, or a reaction? So, when you the ignorant one all of a sudden learn of God, the greatness of creation, and that He wants to cook you on a barbecue and the only reason you are still rare and moving is because He is building up a huge bonfire of wrath just for you... is your reaction a work, or does it just happen due to the shock to your system?

You hear that, but then you hear of a way of Salvation. Is your reaction to just blurting out, save me please! a work, or is it a reaction? Is it willful? Did you have to think about it? (Hmm...burnt to a crisp for eternity, jacuzzi in the Bahamas...you know, that's a hard sell...)

I believe faith to be a reaction caused by the true revelation of God's wrath against a man, against the gospel message of redemption and reconciliation. When that jailor in complete panic asked Paul "What must I do to be saved", I don't think that came from much thought, and his response to Paul likewise did not come from any action that could be called a work.

 

[Sketo]

Another way to think of faith in Salvation.

I don’t believe it’s “another way”! I believe we are on the same page.
Faith is not a work... it’s a gift!

I see it as a reaction, not a work.

I agree! A reaction is not a choice... it just happens by nature!

No thought, no willful expenditure of energy.

Good point! Not a “choice”, just a natural “reaction”!

If you wanted to get married, and you met a woman (well, long flowing locks from behind), and for whatever reason decided this is the one, would your shocked surprise when the man turns around and asks if you will be his wife be a work, or a reaction?

Exactly! “Shocked” is not a choice! “Shocked surprise” is a natural reaction... not a choice!
You don’t “choose” fear as an appropriate reaction when you run into a bear in the woods! It’s a natural reaction not a choice.

So, when you the ignorant one all of a sudden learn of God, the greatness of creation,

Great point... but the “all of a sudden” part is what’s in question!

but we preach Christ crucified (gospel), a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are (“all of a sudden”) called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

“to those who are called” are those who have been called out of there natural, spiritual dead, state into spiritual life and this causes the difference in the discernment of Christ crucified! The “call” produces “faith”!

and that He wants to cook you on a barbecue and the only reason you are still rare and moving is because He is building up a huge bonfire of wrath just for you... is your reaction a work,

Another good point. When this “foolish” idea “all of a sudden” becomes something other than “foolishness” it is the evidence of regeneration!

or does it just happen due to the shock to your system?

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
(Unable to rightly discern who Christ is)

15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
(Are able to rightly discern who Christ is)

(Was it flesh and blood that made the difference or was it a gift of God that made the difference?)

17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 16:13-17

Correct discernment of who Christ is is a gift of God!
Not a work of man!

You hear that, but then you hear of a way of Salvation.

Yes... and why is this message no longer foolishness to you!

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Natural man must be regenerated, made spiritual man first, in order to understand and believe the Gospel

Now, you might ask, what are these "things of the Spirit of God" which people can't grasp without first being made spiritual themselves? The context makes this very clear. Notice the word "folly" or "foolishness" in verse 14. Whatever "the things of the Spirit of God" are, they are folly to the natural man. Chapter 1, verse 18 shows us what this is: "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The same thing in verses 23–24: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Is your reaction to just blurting out, save me please!

This is the natural reaction of those who “all of a sudden” no longer discern Christ Crucified as foolishness. Regeneration changes your perception of Christ!

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? - Romans 10:14

a work, or is it a reaction?

It’s a natural reaction due to the “gift” of God! Eph 2:8-9

Is it willful?

100%

Did you have to think about it?

No it’s not a “choice” it is a natural reaction due to your new nature! It’s a gift!

Your “reaction” directly depends on your discernment! How you perceive determines how you willingly respond to every decision! If you perceive Christ as faith worthy you will receive him as such and act accordingly! If you perceive Christ as foolishness you will reject him as such and act accordingly!

I believe faith to be a reaction caused by the true revelation of God's wrath against a man, against the gospel message of redemption and reconciliation.

Faith is the “reaction” of those who are regenerate!
Foolishness is the reaction of those who are not regenerate!


but we preach Christ crucified (gospel), a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called (regenerated), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

“to those who are called” are those who have been called out of there natural, spiritual dead, state into spiritual life and this causes the difference in the discernment of Christ crucified! The “call” produces “faith”!

When that jailor in complete panic asked Paul "What must I do to be saved", I don't think that came from much thought, and his response to Paul likewise did not come from any action that could be called a work.

I agree! It was the natural reaction of the gift of God!


For by grace you have been saved through Gods own doing.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

 

[PeanutGallery]

...
Again, Fill in the blank with one of the following:
1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work
...

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

[Sketo]

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

I also agree it’s a gift of God, and not a work of man!

 

[PeanutGallery]

I also agree it’s a gift of God, and not a work of man!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

[Sketo]

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I also agree!

For by grace you have been saved through Gods own doing.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

 

[PeanutGallery]

I also agree!

For by grace you have been saved through Gods own doing.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

Changing the inspired word of God?

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

Salvation is the the gift through faith.

 

[Sketo]

Changing the inspired word of God?

I don’t believe so.

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

I agree! “and that not of yourselves” = gift

Salvation is the the gift through faith.

Yes I agree! This is how God achieves salvation!

For by grace you have been saved through Gods own doing.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

 

[brightfame52]

What is work...

work
NOUN
works (plural noun)

• activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
• a task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or thing has to do.
• something done or made.

VERB
works (third person present)

• be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one's job; do work.

---

Fill in the blank with one of the following:

1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work

For by grace you have been saved through _____.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

---

Perceiving Christ Crucified as faith worthy is a gift of God in the same way a blind man seeing a sunset as beautiful is a gift of the Doctor who fixed his eyes!
The reason anyone is in heaven is because they discern Christ Crucified as faith worthy... but discerning Christ as faith worthy is the gift of God! If God justly leaves you in your natural, spiritually dead, state you can, and will, only discern Christ as foolishness and willingly reject him as such!... But if God Graciously chose to bring you out of your spiritual dead state, by regenerating your dead spirit, then you will discern Christ as something other than foolishness! You will discern Christ as faith worthy and willingly receive him as such!
This is how the Bible describes faith as a Gracious gift of God.

Your decision directly depends on your discernment! How you perceive determines how you willingly respond to every decision! If you perceive Christ as faith worthy you will receive him as such and act accordingly! If you perceive Christ as foolishness you will reject him as such and act accordingly!

---

Verses that show God working faith in us...

but we preach Christ crucified (gospel), a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called (regenerated), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

“to those who are called” are those who have been called out of there natural, spiritual dead, state into spiritual life and this causes the difference in the discernment of Christ crucified! The “call” produces “faith”!

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus (how?), who (by regeneration) became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, - 1 Corinthians 1:30

“Because of him”... “Christ Jesus”... “became to us” = By the Gracious gift of faith

Paul understood this faith was a gift of God,and not a work of Paul’s own doing, and that’s why he correctly proclaimed...

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. - 1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul is referring to the Gracious gift of faith that caused him to “work harder than any of them”! “though it was not I” is the confirmation that his faith was the gift of God and not his own doing which he further confirms in...

for it is God who works in you (the gift of faith which results in), both to will and to work for his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13

---

Why does faith have to be a gift? And why does God have to be the one to gift it?

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12

The “Spirit who is from God” is necessary in order to “understand the things freely given us by God”!

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

Remember this verse does NOT say “interpreting spiritual truths to those who are” natural! Why?

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14
Natural man must be regenerated, made spiritual man first, in order to understand and believe the Gospel

Now, you might ask, what are these "things of the Spirit of God" which people can't grasp without first being made spiritual themselves? The context makes this very clear. Notice the word "folly" or "foolishness" in verse 14. Whatever "the things of the Spirit of God" are, they are folly to the natural man. Chapter 1, verse 18 shows us what this is: "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The same thing in verses 23–24: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

In other words, what the natural man can't understand is the heart of the Christian message—the word of the cross - without first being regenerated!​

---

Again, Fill in the blank with one of the following:
1) Gods own doing = gift
2) Mans own doing = work

For by grace you have been saved through _____.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

---

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. $ Hebrews 12:2

Stated well !

 

[brightfame52]

Changing the inspired word of God?

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

Salvation is the the gift through faith.

Thats not changing the word of God. Thats a false accusation. And all of Salvation is the Gift of God including Faith, its all of Grace ! But if you make believing a condition by the sinner, then thats exactly the point of this thread, turning faith/believing into a work of man for salvation !

 

[TomFL]

Thats not changing the word of God. Thats a false accusation. And all of Salvation is the Gift of God including Faith, its all of Grace ! But if you make believing a condition by the sinner, then thats exactly the point of this thread, turning faith/believing into a work of man for salvation !

8. For by grace are ye saved. This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, the gracious work of God. But then they had obtained this grace by faith. On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man. God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own. 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.
Calvin

 

[brightfame52]

8. For by grace are ye saved. This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, the gracious work of God. But then they had obtained this grace by faith. On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man. God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own. 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.
Calvin

The poster made a great point, people turn faith/believing into a work.

But then they had obtained this grace by faith.

False they belive because of Grace, you have it backwards Acts 18 27

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

You doing exactly what the poster is talking about lol

 

[TomFL]

The poster made a great point, people turn faith/believing into a work.



False they belive because of Grace, you have it backwards Acts 18 27

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

You doing exactly what the poster is talking about lol

You are fighting with John Calvin from whom you draw the name of your theology

Other that you assume faith through grace means God infuses faith

And this you do without evidence

The gospel itself is grace

Sending messengers to spread the gospel is grace

the convicting work of the spirit is grace

 

[brightfame52]

You are fighting with John Calvin from whom you draw the name of your theology

Other that you assume faith through grace means God infuses faith

And this you do without evidence

The gospel itself is grace

Sending messengers to spread the gospel is grace

the convicting work of the spirit is grace

John Calvin ?? That came out of left field. Read the OP

 

[Sketo]

For by grace are ye saved... This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, the gracious work of God. But then they had obtained this grace by faith. On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man. God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own. 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...

(Continued)
...”What remains now for free-will, if all the good works which proceed from us are acknowledged to have been the gifts of the Spirit of God?
Let godly readers weigh carefully the apostle's words.
He does not say that we are assisted by God.
He does not say that the will is prepared, and is then left to run by its own strength.
He does not say that the power of choosing aright is bestowed upon us, and that we are afterwards left to make our own choice.
Such is the idle talk in which those persons who do their utmost to undervalue the grace of God are accustomed to indulge.
But the apostle affirms that we are God's work, and that everything good in us is his creation; by which he means that the whole man is formed by his hand to be good. It is not the mere power of choosing aright, or some indescribable kind of preparation, or even assistance, but the right will itself, which is his workmanship; otherwise Paul's argument would have no force.
He means to prove that man does not in any way procure salvation for himself, but obtains it as a free gift from God.
The proof is, that man is nothing but by divine grace.

Whoever, then, makes the very smallest claim for man, apart from the grace of God, allows him, to that extent, ability to procure salvation.”

- Calvin

 

[TomFL]

John Calvin ?? That came out of left field. Read the OP

No you quoted Eph 2:8

So i quoted the namesake of your theology

another

“8. For by grace (tēi gar chariti). Explanatory reason. “By the grace” already mentioned in verse 5 and so with the article. Through faith (dia pisteōs). This phrase he adds in repeating what he said in verse 5 to make it plainer. “Grace” is God’s part, “faith” ours. And that (kai touto). Neuter, not feminine tautē, and so refers not to pistis (feminine) or to charis (feminine also), but to the act of being saved by grace conditioned on faith on our part. Paul shows that salvation does not have its source (ex humōn, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God’s gift (dōron) and not the result of our work.”

(A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2001), paragraph 5313.)

 

[Sketo]

Paul understood this faith was a gift of God, and not a work of Paul’s own doing, and that’s why he correctly proclaimed...

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. - 1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul is referring to the Gracious gift of faith that caused him to “work harder than any of them”! “though it was not I” is the confirmation that his faith was the gift of God and not his own doing which he further confirms in...

for it is God who works in you (the gift of faith which results in), both to will and to work for his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13

 

[brightfame52]

No you quoted Eph 2:8

So i quoted the namesake of your theology

another

“8. For by grace (tēi gar chariti). Explanatory reason. “By the grace” already mentioned in verse 5 and so with the article. Through faith (dia pisteōs). This phrase he adds in repeating what he said in verse 5 to make it plainer. “Grace” is God’s part, “faith” ours. And that (kai touto). Neuter, not feminine tautē, and so refers not to pistis (feminine) or to charis (feminine also), but to the act of being saved by grace conditioned on faith on our part. Paul shows that salvation does not have its source (ex humōn, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God’s gift (dōron) and not the result of our work.”

(A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2001), paragraph 5313.)

What does Eph 2 8 have to do with Calvin though?

 

[TomFL]

What does Eph 2 8 have to do with Calvin though?

Remember you stated faith was given - a gift