SINNING WILLFULLY, BETTER POSSESSIONS

[David Lamb]

The distinction between Eph 2:9 and other verses which suggest salvation is by/through (διὰ) or for (ἐπὶ) works, lies, IMO, in the Greek preposition used in Eph 2:9, and elsewhere in this context, e.g. Gal 2:16, which is ALWAYS ἐκ or ἐξ:

1. from (the point whence action or motion proceeds)
2. out (of place, time, or cause)

HELPS Word Studies.

"1537 ek (a preposition, written eks before a vowel) – properly, "out from and to" (the outcome); out from within. 1537 /ek ("out of") is one of the most under-translated (and therefore mis-translated) Greek prepositions – often being confined to the meaning "by." 1537 (ek) has a two-layered meaning ("out from and to") which makes it out-come oriented (out of the depths of the source and extending to its impact on the object)."

The point Paul is making is that salvation is not "out of / proceeding from human effort" i.e. it does not commence in human effort, but in God's grace, which alone is the starting point whence salvation proceeds. (In no sense is Paul making good works optional.)

If it was just Ephesians 2:9 you might have a point. But the whole passage, Ephesians 2:1-10, stresses over and over again the impossibility of working to obtain salvation. Paul tells his readers that they were dead in trespasses and sins, so totally unable to contribute to their salvation. For example:

(Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
(Eph 2:5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
(Eph 2:6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
(Eph 2:7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

 

[cjab]

If it was just Ephesians 2:9 you might have a point. But the whole passage, Ephesians 2:1-10, stresses over and over again the impossibility of working to obtain salvation. Paul tells his readers that they were dead in trespasses and sins, so totally unable to contribute to their salvation. For example:

(Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
(Eph 2:5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
(Eph 2:6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
(Eph 2:7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

I do have a point, and nothing you have said negates my point in any respect. Eph 2:4-10 stress God alone is the originator, whence all things originate and proceed, to arrive at their appointed conclusion. This is not to detract from good works in any respect, which are not mentioned, not because they don't play an essential part in salvation, but because they do not touch on divine origination, in terms of author, cause, governance, assurance and certainty etc of salvation. Works are consequential, but they are not unessential for that reason.

 

[David Lamb]

I do have a point, and nothing you have said negates my point in any respect. Eph 2:4-10 stress God alone is the originator, whence all things originate and proceed, to arrive at their appointed conclusion. This is not to detract from good works in any respect, which are not mentioned, not because they don't play an essential part in salvation, but because they do not touch on divine origination, in terms of author, cause, governance, assurance and certainty etc of salvation. Works are consequential, but they are not unessential for that reason.

Just to avoid any misunderstanding, let me just make clear that I am not saying that works are unimportant or unnecessary. What I believe on the basis of Scripture is that we are not saved by our works, but for good works.

 

[cjab]

Just to avoid any misunderstanding, let me just make clear that I am not saying that works are unimportant or unnecessary. What I believe on the basis of Scripture is that we are not saved by our works, but for good works.

The only issue lies in the translations of the prepositions engaged. When you say, "we are not saved by our good works", you may indeed be reflecting an English translation, but you are not communicating the underlying Greek accurately, because the only Greek preposition used in the context of "not saved by" is ἐκ/ἐξ, which doesn't strictly translate to "by;" although it is often translated by "by."

See how inconsistent the KJV is. The KJV translates Strong's G1537 (ἐκ/ἐξ) in the following manner: of (366x), from (181x), out of (162x), by (55x), on (34x), with (25x), miscellaneous (98x).

The correct translation of ἐκ/ἐξ is "from", "of", "because of", "out of," "on the basis of."

The Greek preposition διὰ, is very commonly translated "through" but historically also by "by." It is used in respect of "how" salvation is accomplished.

"saved by/through (διὰ) faith" Eph 2:8
"saved by/through (διὰ) child bearing." 1Ti 2:15.
"saved by/through (διὰ) water " 1 Pet 3:20
"saved in (ἐν) the sanctification of the Spirit" 2Th 2:13
"saved [by/through] suffering & endurance" Mat 24:13