How does Romans 9:16 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on grace and faith? The Core Texts Together Romans 9:16 — “So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Grace Originates in God, Not Us • Both passages place the entire initiative with God. • Romans 9:16 says salvation is “not” rooted in human “desire or effort.” • Ephesians 2:8 calls grace “the gift of God,” excluding any human cause. • Taken literally, the texts shut the door on self-generated merit. Faith: The Hand That Receives, Not the Cause • Ephesians 2:8-9 identifies faith as the channel (“through faith”), yet still a gift. • Romans 9:16 underscores that even the believing response is contingent on God’s mercy. • John 6:65 echoes the point: “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by the Father.” • Faith, then, is responsive trust enabled by grace, never an autonomous work. The One Direction of Glory • Ephesians 2:9 removes boasting; Romans 9:16 removes human credit. • 1 Corinthians 1:30-31: “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus… therefore, ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’” • Scripture’s consistent aim is to direct praise upward, not inward. Other Passages Echoing the Theme • John 1:13 — believers are “born… of God.” • Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not by works of righteousness we had done, but according to His mercy.” • James 1:18 — “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth.” • These verses align perfectly with Romans 9:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9, reinforcing grace as God-initiated from start to finish. Living Out This Truth • Rest — Salvation rests on God’s sure mercy, not fluctuating human effort. • Humility — Knowing grace is unearned removes pride and fuels gratitude. • Confidence — What God begins, He completes (Philippians 1:6). • Witness — Share the gospel boldly, trusting God to awaken faith (Acts 16:14). |
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