Edited just now•3 verses
Grace is often defined simply as "unmerited favor," but looking at the original Greek usage in the New Testament reveals a more dynamic power. It is not just God's attitude towards us, but an active force.
Ephesians 2:8ESV
ForτῇG3588
byγὰρG1063
graceχάριτίG5485
you have beenἐστεG2075
savedσεσωσμένοιG4982
throughδιὰG1223
faithπίστεωςG4102
Notice that "saved" is in the perfect tense (sesōsmenoi), implying a past action with continuing results. We *have been* saved, and we *stand* saved.
Theological Synthesis
The grammatical structure here emphasizes that salvation is entirely God's initiative (grace) received by human instrument (faith), resulting in a permanent state of being "saved".