Lesson 3: Faith 39
because the old Paul (Saul) was dead (Acts 9, 22, 26). The new Paul was
alive only by the power of God through faith “in the Son of God” who
gave himself as a sin offering (Hebrews 9:11–28) for humankind in love
and power.
Paul declared that his personal faith in Christ had ended his depen-
dence upon the law for salvation, and had imbued him with life. By “life”
Paul meant more than biological or even eternal existence. He meant
that by faith in Christ he was completely and permanently transformed
by the presence of the living God in the depth of his being. Everything
he now valued and sought was due to the transforming life of Christ that
was his by simple, sincere faith and nothing more (Philippians 3:7–11).
In verse 21 Paul uses the word grace to describe the “undeserved
favor” God gives to everyone who seeks him by faith in Jesus. Paul had
been responsible for harming many followers of Christ before he, him-
self, became a believer. He recognized he was given the opportunity to
have faith in Christ only because of God’s grace.
Celebrating God’s Grace by Faith (Ephesians 2:8–10)
2:8. Ephesus was a center of pagan deities and emperor worship in the
Roman controlled province of Asia Minor. Paul’s teaching in Ephesus
challenged the superficial sophistication of Roman power and commer-
cialism. The great goddess Diana (Artemis) “ruled” the region, at least
in commercial ventures, and was known throughout the world. In shops
around her temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)
were icons representing her beauty, fertility, and inf luence. The sale
of these lifeless figures brought revenue to many craftsmen who made
Ephesus their home (Acts 19:24).
Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians that they once participated in
the evils of this city. The result was their spiritual death (2:1–3). However,
because of God’s choice, they were given grace and faith as gifts. These
gifts were required because without them they could not know God or
experience salvation. The source of our salvation is God alone (“by grace
through faith”) and never produced by human effort (“not from your-
selves”). Both grace and faith are gifts from God. “Grace” is God’s free
favor given to unworthy humankind.