Many assume that the concept of being saved by favour (grace) through belief is unique to the so-called “New Testament.” However, Scripture teaches that this has always been the way of deliverance, from the beginning. The message of salvation by favour through belief is consistent throughout the entire Word of Elohim.
Dead in Trespasses, Yet Made Alive
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 2:1
“And you were dead in trespasses and sins.”
Humanity’s condition apart from Elohim is one of spiritual death. This isn’t merely a New Covenant idea. Yahusha confirmed this when He said:
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 8:22
“Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
This death is not physical alone; it is a spiritual deadness caused by sin. As Sha’ul wrote:
Romiyim (Romans) 8:6
“For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.”
And again:
Timotiyos Aleph (1 Timothy) 5:6
“But she who is living in luxury is dead while she lives.”
Walking in Disobedience Brings Wrath
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 2:2–3
“…in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience… we also once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest.”
Living in disobedience aligns us with the spirit of this age and makes us subject to the wrath of Elohim.
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 5:6
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these the wrath of Elohim comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Qolasim (Colossians) 3:6
“Because of these the wrath of Elohim is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”
But Elohim… Rich in Compassion
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 2:4–5
“But Elohim, who is rich in compassion, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah – by favour you have been delivered.”
The key to our deliverance is not our merit or our works. It is Elohim’s compassion and love. Even when we were dead, He made us alive together with Messiah. That is the power of His favour.
Qolasim (Colossians) 2:13–14
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having blotted out that which was written by hand against us – by the dogmas – which stood against us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the stake.”
Exceeding Riches of His Favour
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 2:6–7
“And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Messiah Yahusha, in order to show in the coming ages the exceeding riches of His favour in kindness toward us in Messiah Yahusha.”
Favour Through Belief: A Gift, Not a Work
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 2:8–9
“For by favour you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast.”
This foundational truth dismantles any claim to self-righteousness. It was never about our goodness or performance. Even Mosheh (Moses) warned Yisra’El not to assume they were receiving the promised land due to their own righteousness:
Deḇarim (Deuteronomy) 9:4–6
“Do not think in your heart, after YaHuWaH your Elohim has driven them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness YaHuWaH has brought me in to possess this land.’ But it is because of the wrong of these nations that YaHuWaH is driving them out from before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wrong of these nations that YaHuWaH your Elohim drives them out from before you, in order to establish the word which YaHuWaH swore to your fathers, to Aḇraham, to Yitsḥaq, and to Ya‛aqoḇ. And you shall know that YaHuWaH your Elohim is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
This Has Always Been the Pattern
From the wilderness journeys of Yisra’El to the writings of Sha’ul, the consistent testimony of Scripture is that deliverance has always been by favour through belief, never by human achievement.
Yoḥanan Aleph (1 John) 3:14
“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. The one not loving his brother stays in death.”
Deliverance by favour through belief is not a “New Testament” idea, it is the eternal pattern of Elohim’s redemption. His lovingkindness and compassion have always been the foundation for salvation. From Deḇarim to Eph`siyim, Scripture makes it clear: it is not because of our righteousness, but because of His mercy.