A commentary on the epistle to the Ephesians by Charles Hodge ...

CHAP. II. VS. 8, 9. 119
works all ground of boasting, is the only salvation
suited to the relation of guilty men to God.
The only point in the interpretation of these verses
of any doubt, relates to the second clause. What is
said to be the gift of God? Is it salvation, or faith?
The words Kcal TOVTO only serve to render more proninent the matter referred to. Compare Rom. 13, 11.
1 Cor. 6, 6. Phil. 1, 28. Heb. 11, 12. They may
relate toftidth (7o 7Te-7-EVeLv), or to the salvation spoken
of (ocercoae/vovs envat). Beza, following the fathers, prefers the former reference; Calvin, with most of the
modern commentators, the latter. The reasons in
favour of the former interpretation are, 1. It best suits
the design of the passage. The object of the apostle is
to show the gratuitous nature of salvation. This is
most effectually done by saying,' Ye are not only saved
by faith in opposition to works, but your very faith is
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.' 2. The other
interpretation makes the passage tautological. To say:'Ye are saved by faith; not of yourselves; your salvation is the gift of God; it is not of works,' is saying the
same thing over and over without any progress.
Whereas to say:' Ye are saved through faith (and that
not of yourselves it is the gift of God), not of works,'
is not repetitious; the parenthetical clause instead of
being redundant does good service and greatly increases the force of the passage. 3. According to this
interpretation the antithesis between faith and works,
so common in Paul's writings, is preserved.'Ye are
saved by faith, not by works, lest any man should