Dear friend in Christ,
If you’ve ever lingered over Ephesians 2:8-10, you know it’s one of those passages that sings of God’s grace: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” As an Arminian believer, you likely cherish this verse for its emphasis on grace and the invitation to faith. I do, too. But today, I’d like to share a perspective that has deeply moved me—the Reformed understanding of what “gift” means here—and invite you to consider it with an open heart.
You and I agree that salvation is by grace—God’s unmerited favor toward us. Where we might differ is on the nature of faith. In your Arminian view, faith is often seen as our response to God’s prevenient grace, a grace that enables us to freely choose Him. It’s a beautiful idea, reflecting God’s love for all and His desire that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). But as I’ve wrestled with Ephesians 2:8, I’ve come to see something even more astonishing: that faith itself, alongside grace, is part of the “gift of God.”
Let’s look closely at the text. Paul writes, “And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” In Greek, the word “this” (τοῦτο) is neuter, pointing not just to “grace” or “faith” (both feminine nouns) but to the entire phrase: “by grace you have been saved through faith.” This suggests that the whole process—grace and faith—is God’s gift to us. If faith were something we produced, wouldn’t Paul have said, “Grace is not your own doing, but faith is”? Instead, he ties it all together, leaving no room for us to boast.
I know this might feel unsettling. You might wonder, “Doesn’t this diminish our free will?” It’s a fair question, one I’ve asked myself. But consider this: if faith is something we muster up, even with God’s help, could we not boast in our choice to believe? Ephesians 2:9 says salvation excludes boasting, yet if faith were ours to offer, we might subtly pride ourselves on being wiser or more responsive than others. The Reformed view humbles us completely: even our faith is God’s gracious gift, ensuring all glory goes to Him.
Scripture echoes this elsewhere. In Philippians 1:29, Paul says, “It has been granted to you… to believe in him.” Granted—given as a gift. In Acts 13:48, we read, “As many as were appointed to eternal life believed,” suggesting faith flows from God’s appointment. In 2 Timothy 2:25-26, repentance—a cousin of faith—is something God grants. These verses paint a picture of a God so sovereign and loving that He doesn’t just offer grace but also enables us to receive it through faith.
I can hear your heart saying, “But what about John 3:16—‘whoever believes’? Doesn’t that imply our choice?” Absolutely. It’s an invitation! Yet the Reformed view doesn’t deny that we believe; it simply says God’s gift of faith is what makes our believing possible. Think of it like a child receiving a present: they still open it, but the gift isn’t theirs until the giver provides it. In Ephesians 2:1-5, Paul describes us as “dead in… trespasses and sins,” made alive by God. Dead people don’t choose—they’re revived by grace, and faith is the first heartbeat of that new life.
This doesn’t erase human responsibility. Verse 10 says we’re created for good works, prepared by God for us to walk in. We’re active participants, but it’s all rooted in His prior work. The beauty here is freedom from striving: if faith is God’s gift, we don’t need to worry about generating it ourselves. It’s given, not earned.
Friend, I know the Arminian emphasis on free will reflects a deep love for God’s fairness and desire for all to be saved (Ezekiel 18:23). I share that love. But what if the Reformed view offers an even greater comfort? If faith is God’s gift, no one is beyond His reach—not because of their choice, but because of His power. It’s not about God forcing us; it’s about Him drawing us with a love so complete that even our “yes” is His doing (John 6:44).
I invite you to ponder this with me. Reread Ephesians 2. Ask, “What if ‘this’ really includes faith?” Explore commentaries or Calvin’s writings. Test it against Scripture. My prayer isn’t to win an argument but to share a joy I’ve found: that salvation, from start to finish, is God’s gift—leaving us in awe of His grace, with no boasting but all praise.
In Christ’s love,
Jonathan