My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Ephesians 2:8-10 … By Grace ever Saved<br />
(05/<strong>17</strong>/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“For by Grace you have been saved through Faith, and this [Grace] is not of your<br />
own doing; It is the Gift of God … For we are what He has made us; created in Christ for<br />
good works.” ~ unknown (Ephesians 2:8-10)<br />
First & foremost, the book of Ephesians was almost certainly not written by<br />
Paul. Many important terms in Ephesians (e.g. “heavenly places”, a “dividing wall”,<br />
& “fellow citizen”) are not used by Paul at all in his authentic letters, and some of<br />
Paul's more characteristic terms are either given new meanings in Ephesians (e.g.<br />
“mystery” & “church”) or are completely absent (e.g. “the Jews” & “justification”). In<br />
addition, the verbose Greek of Ephesians is not characteristic of Paul's earlier<br />
writings, and there are significant theological divergences therein as well –<br />
especially Ephesians' emphasis on a believer's Here&Now salvation (see Ephesians<br />
1:3-12 & Ephesians 2:4-10). While it is possible that this work was simply written<br />
at the very end of Paul's life and that these theological discrepancies reflect an<br />
evolution in his spiritual understanding (though suddenly choosing <strong>to</strong> believe in a<br />
Christ-harmonized, Here&Now salvation would be a most radical departure indeed), it is<br />
far more likely that the author of Ephesians simply copied and amended<br />
Colossians sometime after Paul‟s death … That having been said, Ephesians 2:8-<br />
10 remains a prominent passage for those worshipping the unway of Paul – i.e.<br />
those who believe that mere mental faith and mere verbal professing of<br />
subservience <strong>to</strong> Jesus “as Lord” are all that is required for one <strong>to</strong> be saved (see Acts<br />
16:31 & Romans 10:9 et al); and this, contrary both <strong>to</strong> at least one statement from<br />
Paul in his earlier letter <strong>to</strong> the Galatians (see Galatians 5:6) and <strong>to</strong> the teachings of<br />
Jesus himself (see Matthew 7:21-24, Matthew 24:12-14, John 13:15-<strong>17</strong> et al).<br />
Indeed, as far as “Grace” is concerned, note that it (at least according <strong>to</strong> Jesus<br />
Christ) is actually a trinity of gifts given unconditionally <strong>to</strong> all humans by an all-<br />
Loving God (note that John 1:1-9+16 = John 5:22 + Matthew 5:48 & 1 John 4:18 +<br />
Luke 6:36); not a hollow conditional reward given only <strong>to</strong> the few by a celestial<br />
tyrant (as Paul would have us believe -- see Romans 2:16, Romans 3:24, Romans 5:21,<br />
Romans 9:27, Romans 14:10-12 et al) … No, Grace is conscious awareness (see<br />
Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 21:36 et al), plus an internal moral compass (see John 14:20-<br />
26 & John 15:26) plus the ability <strong>to</strong> use that guidance <strong>to</strong> choose <strong>to</strong> Love anyway<br />
(see Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 25:35-40 et al).<br />
Also note that this passage indirectly references Paul‟s gospel – a gospel that<br />
happens <strong>to</strong> directly contradict the Gospel offered by Jesus Christ (compare<br />
Ephesians 2:8-10 with 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and contrast them both with Matthew 10:7<br />
& Matthew 24:12-14).<br />
123