We need to look closely to establish the context of saving “faith” in Eph. 2:8-9. “by grace are ye saved through faith; and THAT not of yourselves: IT is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

What is the “THAT” which is “not of yourselves” in v8? The “THAT” refers to the “IT,” in “IT is the gift of God.” But now we need to answer the question of; what exactly is “that” and “it” referring to?

Is it salvation, or grace, or faith, that is “the gift of God” and “not of yourselves”?

Actually, the phrase “IT is the gift of God” summarizes this whole first part of verse 8 … “For BY GRACE are ye saved through faith.”

Paul’s gospel is called “the gospel of the grace of God.” (Act 20:24). God’s “grace” sets the context of the whole verse.

Faith is not the context, yet saving “faith” flows from God’s “grace,” which is “freely” gifted to us for our salvation. The context here is God’s free gift that we call “grace,” which is freely given to us and expressed in the form of our “faith” resting in Christ… and resulting in our salvation.

The “grace of God,” like anything that’s “of (from) God” is obviously “not of yourself” (v8) and “not of works” (v9) is a “gift of God.” “GRACE” makes our salvation possible through God-given faith resting in Christ alone as Savior. Saving “grace” is “the gift of God” and necessary “faith” is grace’s expression.

Paul wrote “Therefore it (salvation) is of faith, that it might be by (according to) grace” (Rom. 4:16a).

Okay, but how exactly does God grace us with… saving “faith”? Paul tells us how we come to saving “faith,” saying;

“… Faith Cometh by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17).

Only “the Word of God” has “the Power of God” to kindle or ignite saving “faith” in those who “have ears to hear.” (Mk. 8:18) Jesus said “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me DRAW him…” (Jn 6:44).

Then in the next verse Jesus tells us how the Father draws us to Him.

“It is written in the prophets (of Israel), ‘And they shall all be taught of (by) God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” (John 6:45)

Note the words “taught” and “everyone” (John 6:45). This means All those who are drawn come in the same way, by “hearing” and “learning” of their need of the Savior. These are not mystical words. They’re common, everyday words which are used to describe how people are ‘drawn to Christ.’

What exactly is to be taught, heard, and learned? The means or method by which God “calls” and “draws” us is by “the Gospel of Christ.” “… He Called You Through Our Gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Thes. 2:14).

The Holy Spirit calls us through “the gospel of Christ” which is “the Power of God.” Paul wrote; “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is “The Power (Gk. dynamis, miraculous power) of God” unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Rom. 1:16). We can have confidence in the miraculous power of the gospel to save all those who are the “foreknown” of God. But, we don’t know who they are, so we share the gospel with whoever we are led to. More on those who are “foreknown” of God in the next installment.

So God ultimately saves us through our having heard the good news of “the gospel.” The preaching of the gospel is the “power of God” to save (cf. I Cor. 1:18, 24). Therefore, all people who truly hear will recognize the good news of the gospel and have the faith to respond to God’s gospel call… by the power of the Holy Spirit. They also have the ability to reject it (cf. Acts 13:45-48).

“…the Word of God is quick (living), and powerful…” (Heb. 4:12). “It is the spirit that quickeneth (gives life); the flesh profiteth nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.” (Jn 6:63)