How God Bestows Faith And Why

The question of whether God gives us faith is a highly debated topic, with some arguing that faith is a gift from God, while others claim it is a human exercise. Ephesians 2:8 is often cited as evidence for the idea that faith is a gift from God, with the verse stating, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. However, there are differing interpretations of this verse, with some arguing that it refers to salvation rather than faith.

Those who believe that faith is a gift from God hold to the Reformed tradition and Calvinism's doctrine of election, which states that God elects or chooses those He will save and gives them the faith to believe. This view, known as monergism, asserts that only God is involved in the salvation of man and that faith is a result of God's grace and mercy.

On the other hand, synergism teaches that man must exercise his free will to repent and turn to Jesus, and as a result of this choice, God saves the repentant sinner by His grace alone. This view emphasizes that faith is a free-will choice, a reasoned response of the mind and heart to the revealed knowledge of God.

The debate surrounding whether God gives us faith has significant implications for our understanding of salvation, human responsibility, and the nature of God's grace. While both sides present compelling arguments, the interpretation of specific Bible verses and the role of human free will remain central to this discussion.

God gives faith as an act of grace and mercy

The Bible emphasizes that faith is a gift from God because He deserves all the glory for our salvation. If we could do anything to deserve or earn faith, we would have the right to boast. However, the Bible makes it clear that all such boasting is excluded.

God gives us faith because He loves us and wants us to understand that we have done nothing to earn it. It is only because of what Christ did on the cross that God gives anyone faith. This is further supported by Ephesians 2:5 and 16, which state that "by grace you have been saved" and that salvation is "not [our] own doing; it is the gift of God".

The apostle Paul provides an example of this in 1 Timothy 1:13-14, where he writes, "I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, but I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

Paul understood that his faith in Christ was given to him because of God's grace, despite his own sinful life. This is also reflected in 1 Corinthians 4:7.

Faith comes from hearing the message of Christ, as stated in Romans 10:17: "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." This is why it is important for believers to share the gospel with others, as it is through hearing the true gospel of Jesus that faith can be given.

Faith is a gift from God, not a work

The opposing view is synergism, which holds that man must exercise a choice to repent and turn to Jesus, and as a result of that choice, God saves a repentant sinner by His grace alone.

The Bible supports the idea that faith is a gift from God in Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." The verse says you are saved "by grace" and "through faith", indicating that salvation is the gift referred to in this verse.

Other Bible verses that support the idea that faith is a gift from God include Romans 12:3, Philippians 1:29, Luke 22:31-32, Mark 9:24, and Luke 17:5.

The view that faith is a gift from God is also supported by the idea that faith is not a meritorious work. If faith is not a work, then it cannot be something that people contribute to the reception of eternal life.

Additionally, faith cannot be a work because it is the opposite of works. It is only through faith that we can receive the generous gift of God, and faith cannot be considered a work worthy of the gift.

Furthermore, if faith were a work, it would create numerous practical problems. For example, it would call into question the role of demonic activity in restricting some people's faith, the varying levels of difficulty people experience in believing, and the purpose of evangelism and missions.

Finally, if faith were a work, it would nullify human responsibility. If God imparts faith to the unbeliever, then the responsibility to believe lies with God, and He cannot judge people for failing to believe.

God gives faith so that no one may boast

> "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast."

Here, the "gift of God" is salvation, which is achieved through faith. This faith is not something that humans can claim as their own achievement, or something that they have earned. Instead, it is a gift from God, given by his grace and mercy because he loves us.

The idea that faith is a gift from God is also expressed in Romans 12:3:

> "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Here, Paul is urging Christians not to be proud, and to remember that their faith is a gift from God.

The notion that God gives faith to people is known as monergism, and it is a key part of Calvinist doctrine. According to this belief, God "elects" or chooses those whom he will save, and gives them the faith to believe. Monergism stands in opposition to synergism, which holds that humans must exercise their own choice to repent and turn to Jesus, and that faith is a free-will choice.

While the idea of God-given faith is a matter of theological debate, it is clear that many Christians believe that God gives faith so that no one may boast about their salvation.

Faith is a gift from God according to ancient exegetes

The question of whether faith is a gift from God has been a topic of debate among theologians and exegetes. While some argue that faith is a human act of will, others contend that it is a divine gift. Ancient exegetes, including prominent figures such as Augustine and John Chrysostom, asserted that faith itself is the gift from God mentioned in Ephesians 2:8. This interpretation holds that the phrase "it is the gift of God" refers specifically to faith, which is given by God to enable salvation.

The ancient interpretation is supported by the grammatical structure of the original Greek text. The demonstrative pronoun "touto" in verse 8 can be understood to refer to faith, even though the word for faith is feminine while "touto" is neuter. Ancient Greek literature provides examples of neuter demonstratives referring to feminine nouns. Additionally, the context of Ephesians 2 emphasizes the free nature of salvation, and understanding "faith" as the gift underscores this theme.

However, modern interpreters often take a different view. They argue that "touto" refers not to faith itself but to the broader concept of "salvation by grace through faith." This interpretation emphasizes that salvation, including the faith that leads to it, is entirely a gift from God and not a result of human works.

The debate has implications for worship and daily life. Understanding faith as a gift from God humbles us and leads to greater awareness of our dependence on Him. It also aligns with the biblical message that salvation is not something we earn but a gracious gift from a loving God.

God gives faith to those he has chosen

The idea that God gives faith to those he has chosen is a contentious one. It is associated with the Calvinist doctrine of election, or monergism, which holds that God "elects" or chooses those whom He will save. This belief is opposed by synergism, which argues that man must exercise a choice to repent and turn to Jesus.

Those who support the idea that God gives faith to those he has chosen point to Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God". They interpret this to mean that both grace and faith are gifts from God. They also cite 1 Timothy 1:13-14, in which Paul acknowledges that his faith is a result of God's grace.

However, critics argue that this interpretation of Ephesians 2:8 is incorrect, and that "it" refers to salvation, not faith. They also point out that faith is ascribed to man, not God, in numerous places in the Bible. They argue that if faith is a gift from God, it removes human responsibility for belief and nullifies the need for evangelism and missions.

The question of whether God gives faith to those he has chosen is a complex and multifaceted one, with strong arguments on both sides.

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