Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; |
Bible Question:
Dear Bro. Tim The crux of my question is: From whom does faith orignate? Can an unregenerate man (one who is dead in trespasses and sin) find within himself the capacity for faith?, or must it necessarily come from an outside source I believe that we are saved by grace thru faith and even my capacity to believe in Christ was a gift from God. Perhaps I misunderstood your analogy, it seemed to me that God did His part by providing His Son (the bridge) but then we had to do are part by contributing our faith (getting up and crossing the bridge). It is my contention, based on my understanding of Scripture, that formerly I was dead in trespasses and sin; my foolish mind was darkened; etc.(Ro:1). I was without God and was actively in rebellion against Him. Then I was presented with the Gospel and I believed. It must have been the Holy Spirit that gave me a new heart that made faith possible to begin with. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Your Bro. in Christ, John |
Bible Answer: Greetings John! Faith originates from hearing the Word of God! (Romans 10:17) If we have faith and belief in God after first hearing the Word of God (first exposure), then my answer is 'Yes', that faith can originate from one who is not saved, since it is by faith that we are saved (Romans 5:1-2). And this faith, that we have "happened upon" by hearing the Gospel for the first time, is what will lead us into salvation. To describe faith a little more "deeply", I would cite Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 118:8, and 2 Cor. 5:7. To define 'faith', then Hebrews 11:1-2 is always helpful. Blessings to you, Makarios |