How does John 1:16 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 about salvation by grace?

Grace Overflowing in John 1:16

“From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

• “His fullness” points to everything Christ is—eternal, divine, perfectly sufficient.

• “Grace upon grace” pictures wave after wave of undeserved favor—never running out, never diminished.

• The verse assumes a literal reception: real people, in real time, truly receive this grace from a real Savior.

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Paul’s Clarification in Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• Salvation is anchored in the same grace John describes.

• Faith is the God-given channel, not a human achievement.

• Works are excluded as a basis, eliminating any room for pride.

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How the Two Passages Interlock

• Same Source:

– John: grace flows from Christ’s “fullness.”

– Paul: that grace is the decisive factor in our salvation.

• Same Nature:

– John emphasizes abundance (“grace upon grace”).

– Paul stresses gift (“not from yourselves… the gift of God”).

• Same Result:

– John shows a people already receiving.

– Paul explains what they receive—full salvation, secured apart from works.

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Big Takeaways for Salvation by Grace

• Salvation originates in Christ’s inexhaustible supply, not human effort.

• The grace constantly poured out in John 1:16 culminates in the saving act described in Ephesians 2:8-9.

• Any act of obedience flows from received grace, never replaces it (cf. John 1:17; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:17).

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Supporting Passages

• Titus 3:5—“He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy…”

• Romans 5:17—“those who receive the abundance of grace… will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

• 2 Corinthians 9:8—“God is able to make all grace abound to you…”

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Living Out the Connection

• Humility: boast only in Christ’s fullness.

• Gratitude: daily thank Him for wave after wave of grace.

• Confidence: rely on grace, not performance, for assurance.

• Service: good works become joyful responses, not entry requirements (Ephesians 2:10).

Grace keeps coming; salvation keeps shining. The two texts together leave no doubt: every part of rescue—from first conviction to final glory—is gift, gift, gift.