Ephesians 2:8, 9 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:
"For by grace are ye saued, through faith, and that not of your selues : it is the gift of God : not of workes , lest any man should boast."
The Greek word ( Greek [ 5485 ] ) for the word "grace" in Ephesians 2:8 ( KJV, KJV; 1611 EDITION, and NKJV, for example ) is defined as follows:
"graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)." [ See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 104. ). ]
With the above-listed definition of the word "grace" in mind, where in the Holy Bible do we see an example of this graciousness of manner or act?
John 3:16 ( NKJV ) reads as follows:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
In John 3:16, we see the epitome of God's grace - God's graciousness of manner or act - toward the human race. That is, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to this Earth ( see John 3:17, for example ).
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life ( see Hebrews 4:15, for example ) and was crucified on the cross of Calvary for the sins of mankind ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ) and Romans 6:10 ( NKJV - ". . . He died to sin once for all . . . ." - emphasis mine, R.E.W. ), for example ). It was on this cross of Calvary where Jesus shed His cleansing blood ( see Matthew 26:28, John 1:29, and Revelation 1:5, for example ). A person comes in contact with the blood of Christ when he or she is baptized by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of their sins ( see Acts 2:38, Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), Acts 22:16, and Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), for example ).
With all of the above-mentioned information in mind, the word "grace," in this context, means that God has already done His part to provide the opportunity for salvation for everyone ( see 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 and recall Romans 6:10, for example ). However, it is up to you to do your part to be saved - obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ( see Mark 16:16 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 ( especially verses 8 and 9, for example ), for example ). See also James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10, for example.
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
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<Russell E. Willis>
