free will tagged posts

What is “This” in Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 (AV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

8 (ignt) τη γαρ χαριτι εστε σεσωσμενοι δια της πιστεως και τουτο ουκ εξ υμων θεου το δωρον

9 (AV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

9 (ignt) ουκ εξ εργων ινα μη τις καυχησηται

(for full parsing, please see the following link: https://scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/NTpdf/eph2.pdf)

To what does the word “this”, touto  in the Greek, refer in Ephesians 2:8-9? Every pronoun must refer to a noun used in the same context, usually prior to the use of the pronoun, though not universally so, or to a concept expressed in relationship to its use...

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What Does it Mean for God to be Sovereign?

What Does it Mean for God to be Sovereign?

Christians disagree on the implications of God’s sovereignty, because they differ on their understanding of the meaning of the word.

According to dictionary.com[1], the word sovereign means:

  1. a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.
  2. a person who has supreme power or authority.
  3. a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.
  4. a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling: went out of circulation after 1914.

and sovereignty, the adjective, refers to:

  1. belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal.
  2. having supreme rank, power, or authority.
  3. supreme; preeminent; indisputable: a sovereign right.
  4. greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.
  5. being above all others in character, importan...
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