The Sovereignty of God's Unmerited Favor in Salvation
The sovereignty of God's unmerited favor in salvation is a doctrine rooted in the biblical concept of grace, emphasizing God's initiative and action in saving humanity. According to the apostle Paul, the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" [1]. This salvation is not earned through human merit but is a gift from God, as highlighted in Ephesians 2:8-9.
The biblical basis for this doctrine is found in various passages that underscore God's sovereign role in salvation. For instance, Romans 11:33 exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" [2]. This verse illustrates the mysterious and unmerited nature of God's salvation. The love of God is described as sovereign, great, and irrespective of human merit, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:7 and Job 7:17 [3].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes that faith and constancy in enduring persecutions are unmerited gifts of God [10]. This perspective is echoed in the writings of John Gill, who notes that salvation is not achieved through "works of righteousness which we have done" but is instead a manifestation of God's kindness and love [11].
The New Testament book of Ephesians further articulates this doctrine, stating that believers are "made alive together with Christ" by God's grace [5]. This new life is a result of being united with Christ Jesus, sharing in his resurrection, and experiencing God's glory and blessings both now and in the future [7]. The transformation of believers is attributed to God's Spirit, who works within them to produce a good life, making good works the result, not the cause, of salvation [6, 8].
The doctrine is also reflected in the writings of the apostle Paul, who quotes Jeremiah 9:24, emphasizing that boasting should be in the Lord, as salvation is a result of God's sovereign power and decision to save his people [9]. The concept of predestination or election, as discussed in Easton's Bible Dictionary, is closely related to this doctrine, suggesting that God's sovereign plan governs all events related to salvation [4].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 1:16 (ASV) — For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
- Romans “Romans 11:33 (NASB) — Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:31: 1:31 This quotation is a paraphrase of Jer 9:24 (cp. 2 Cor 10:17). Because salvation is a result of God’s sovereign power (1 Cor 2:5) and his decision to save his people, there is absolutely no room for human pride (see 1:29).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 9.5: that the Philippians may know that they have been called to the faith of Christ on this condition — that they endure persecutions on his account, as though he had said that their adoption can no more be separated from the cross, than Christ can be torn asunder from himself. Here Paul clearly testifies, that faith, as well as constancy in enduring persecutions, 91 91 “ Les afflictions et persecutions ;” — “Afflictions and persecutions.” is an unmerited gift of God. And certainly the knowledge of God is a wisdom that ”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done,.... The great instance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour is salvation; which the apostle denies that it is brought about by any works, even the best works of men; for "works of righteousness" are works done according to a righteous law, and in obedience to it; and in a righteous manner, from right principles of grace, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; or otherwise they are not righteous actions, or works of righteousness; wherefore not works before, but after conversion, are here meant; for works b”