How does Romans 11:20 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on faith and grace? Text in Focus “ That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear.” (Romans 11:20) “ 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) Grace Makes the Difference - Both passages spotlight God’s initiative: salvation begins with His grace, not human effort. - Romans 11 shows grace in action—God grafts Gentile believers into the covenant “olive tree.” - Ephesians 2 explains that this grace is a free gift; we contribute nothing to earn it. Faith Is the Instrument, Not the Cause - Romans 11:20: “you stand by faith.” Faith is the means by which we remain in God’s kindness. - Ephesians 2:8: “through faith.” Faith is the channel that receives grace, never the meritorious ground. - Cross-reference: John 1:12—“to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” The right is granted, not achieved. Why Pride Has No Place - Romans: “Do not be arrogant, but fear.” Ephesians: “so that no one can boast.” - Salvation excludes boasting because: • Grace is unearned. • Faith itself is God’s gift (Philippians 1:29). • Works flow from salvation, not toward it (Ephesians 2:10). - 1 Corinthians 4:7 drives it home: “What do you have that you did not receive?” Warning and Assurance Held Together - Warning: Unbelief leads to being “broken off” (Romans 11:20-22). Believers guard against this through humble dependence. - Assurance: The same grace that grafted us in secures us (John 10:28), yet true faith perseveres (Hebrews 3:14). Living Out the Connection - Cultivate humility: remember daily that standing is by grace alone. - Nurture faith: stay in the Word (Romans 10:17) and prayer, the ordinary means God uses to strengthen trust. - Serve from gratitude: good works are “prepared in advance” (Ephesians 2:10) as the fruit of grace, not the root of acceptance. Summary Snapshot - Romans 11:20 stresses standing “by faith.” - Ephesians 2:8-9 clarifies that both faith and salvation spring from grace. - Together they declare: God’s grace saves, faith receives, pride dies, and grateful obedience grows. |
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