Subject: Unforgivable sin |
Bible Note: Greetings Teacher! Concerning the phrase, 'not by works', this is the literal translation of the first phrase in Eph. 2:9. So, it is correct and it is found in the text. :-) However, my friend, notice that your intepretation of Eph. 2:8-9 actually ends up claiming what the text explicitly denies, i.e. - that works have any role to play in our salvation. Allow me to lay out the literal translation of Eph. 2:8-9: For you have been saved by grace, through faith, and this not from you, gift of God; not by works, that no one may boast. I have attempted to lay out these two verses visually in such a way that one can see the relationship between the phrases. The verbal idea is 'you have been saved'. Everything else in these two verses is a modification or explanation of how that salvation has been accomplished. It is said to be: 1) by Grace 2) through faith 3) not from you 4) not by works. Simply put, there is no grammatical way to make these verse say that our works have any role whatsoever to play in our salvation. The logical order as spelled out in these two verses is quite clear: grace - faith - salvation - works Any attempt to change this order becomes 'another Gospel' as Paul preached in Galatians. Scripture is clear about this my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |