Hi,

Please give me explain this verse as oppose to what the catholic church teaches

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Eph. 2:8- 9).

Thanks

-- Derrick (bugsy99za@yahoo.com), August 04, 2004

Answers

There is no scriptural verse that is "opposed to what the Catholic Church teaches" because the Catholic Church pre-approved every verse of scripture before it was allowed into the Bible. Catholic teaching was the criterion against which writings of New Testament times were verified BEFORE they were considered to be Scripture. And many other writings of the same time period were excluded from the Bible precisely because they did NOT conform to Catholic teaching - otherwise known as divine revelation.

What this verse clearly says is exactly what the Catholic Church has always clearly taught - that salvation is a free gift of God which cannot be earned by our own efforts, but which nevertheless must be actively accepted. Numerous other passages of scripture clearly describe both of the essential means by which the free gift of salvation is accepted - faith and good works. If either of these is lacking, salvation is not possible. Since grace is the source of both faith and Christian works of charity, salvation is therefore by grace, just as this verse of Catholic teaching states.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), August 04, 2004.

Hello Derrick,

This verse was written by Paul to refute the false teaching of the time that people could earn their salvation through performing works of the law, hence the phrase "not as a result of works, that no one should boast." The Catholic teaching is that we cannot work our way to heaven or take any credit. Our ability to enter heaven is entirely the result of Christ's work on the cross and God's grace in our lives that allows us to continue following Him.

The New Testament writers explained that we are saved by God's grace alone. We accept that grace and continue to live in it by having faith and works, done all by God's grace. If we fail to continue in faith and works at our final moments in life, we will be separated from grace. That's why the epsitles say:

James 2:24 (KJV) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Galatians 5 (KJV) 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Ephesians 2 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them..

That's also why the Gospel writers wrote:

Mark 13:13 (KJV) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Matthew 10:22 (KJV) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13 (KJV) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

(I show the repetitions because when something is repeated in Scripture, that means it's really important. Thus, we see that we must continue in faith and works to the end in order to obtain final salvation -- that is, entrance into heaven.)

God bless,

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), August 04, 2004.