Saved by Grace, as a Gift

The Good News · Article 8 of 10 · 2026-10-28 · Key passages: Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 2:16. Quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB); please check each one in your own Bible.

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Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus where they began: “You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1). Then he tells them how God saved them:

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

— Ephesians 2:8–10

Article 7 showed that Scripture calls every hearer of the good news to repent and believe in Jesus. It also calls them to confess him as Lord and to be baptized. That raises an honest question. If God calls us to do these things, how is salvation still a gift that no one earns? Many readers have also been taught that they must keep a set of rules to stay in God’s favor. Others fear that if salvation is a gift, it does not matter how they live. This article asks what Scripture says about each of these. We ask you to read what the text says, and to check every word.

Read These First

• Ephesians 2:1–10: “by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
• Galatians 2:15–21: not justified by the works of the law.
• Romans 3:21–28: justified freely by his grace.
• Romans 4:1–8: Abraham believed God.
• James 2:14–26: faith without works is dead.
• Titus 2:11–3:8: the grace of God that saves and teaches.

God Saves by Grace, as a Gift, Not as Wages

What the text says. Paul tells the Ephesians what they were before God saved them. They were “dead in transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), “and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Ephesians 2:3). Then he says what God did:

But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

— Ephesians 2:4–5

He wrote to Titus in the same way: “not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5). He goes on, “that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7). God “saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace,” (2 Timothy 1:9).

Scripture sets a gift against wages. Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). He explains the difference in Romans 4:

Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed. But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

— Romans 4:4–5

He says it again in Romans 11: “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Romans 11:6). Passages: Romans 3:24; 5:15–17; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that believers are saved by grace, “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). It says plainly that this is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9) and “not according to our works” (2 Timothy 1:9). It says plainly that eternal life is “the free gift of God” (Romans 6:23). Paul himself sets grace against its opposite: a reward that is earned “is not counted as grace, but as something owed.” (Romans 4:4). Our conclusion is that grace, as Paul uses the word, is God’s favor given to those who have not earned it. Our conclusion is also that faith does not earn the gift but receives it. Paul sets the one who works for what is owed against the one who believes (Romans 4:4–5). God gave this gift to people who were dead in sins (Ephesians 2:5); our conclusion is that it does not reward something good already in them. Paul gives God’s purpose: “that no one would boast.” (Ephesians 2:9).

Scripture calls repentance something God gives (Acts 5:31; 11:18). Article 7 drew the same conclusion: because God gives repentance, calling for it does not make salvation a wage. Paul writes that God “saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5); our conclusion is that this washing includes baptism. In the same sentence he says it was “not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves” (Titus 3:5). Paul says believers were raised with Christ in baptism “through faith in the working of God” (Colossians 2:12). Our conclusion is that in baptism God is the one at work, and the one baptized receives.

The very next verse in Philippians says, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). Paul says of his own labor, “I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Jesus told his disciples, “when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’” (Luke 17:10). Our conclusion is that obeying God’s call does not put God in our debt. Our conclusion is also that a gift is still a gift when it is held out and taken. We invite readers to read Romans 4:1–25 and Philippians 2:12–13 whole.

No One Is Made Right with God by the Works of the Law

What the text says. In Antioch Paul told Peter what they both knew:

“We, being Jews by nature and not Gentile sinners, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

— Galatians 2:15–16

He ends, “I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21). In Romans he writes, “Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20). Then he says what God has done:

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

— Romans 3:22–24

“We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:28).

Paul shows the same thing in Abraham. “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” (Romans 4:3). He quotes Genesis 15:6, a canonical connection by quotation. He goes on, “Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:” (Romans 4:6). He notes when it happened: “Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” (Romans 4:10).

The question came before the apostles in Jerusalem. Some men from Judea taught, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” (Acts 15:1). Some believers from the Pharisees said, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5). Peter answered:

Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

— Acts 15:10–11

Jesus told of a tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). Jesus said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other;” (Luke 18:14). Passages: Acts 13:38–39; Galatians 3:6–14; 5:4; Philippians 3:8–9.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that “a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). It says plainly that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and that those who believe are “justified freely by his grace” (Romans 3:24). It says plainly that the apostles would not make keeping the law of Moses a condition of salvation (Acts 15:10–11, 24, 28). When Paul asks whether Abraham was justified by works, he answers with “it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:2–3). Our conclusion is that justified, in Romans 3–4 and Galatians 2, means counted righteous before God. Our conclusion is also that the law cannot justify because everyone under it has sinned. Paul writes that “through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20). The law demands that a person “continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” (Galatians 3:10). Statement of Faith section 15 gives our answer on which commands bind believers (see Questions Answered).

In Matthew 19 the young man said, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20). Jesus told him to sell what he had, give to the poor, “and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21). The man went away sad (Matthew 19:22). When the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:25), Jesus answered, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). Our conclusion is that Jesus pointed the man past his own record to himself. Our conclusion is also that Jesus did not teach that anyone can enter life by keeping the commandments in his own strength (Matthew 19:26). Paul does not throw out the law: “Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31). We invite readers to read Romans 2:1–3:31 and Matthew 19:16–30 whole.

Faith Without Works Is Dead; Faith Works Through Love

What the text says. Right after Paul says salvation is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9), he writes, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). He tells the Galatians, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6). He tells Titus “that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:8).

James writes about a faith that does nothing:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

— James 2:14–17

He goes on, “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18). Then he turns to Abraham:

Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

— James 2:21–23

He ends, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26). Passages: Matthew 7:24; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 11:17–19, 31.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that believers are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). It says plainly that faith “if it has no works, is dead in itself.” (James 2:17). Paul and James both quote Genesis 15:6 (Romans 4:3; James 2:23), a canonical connection by quotation. Genesis gives those words when Abram had no son (Genesis 15:4–6). Isaac was born years later, when Abraham was a hundred (Genesis 21:5). The offering of Isaac comes in Genesis 22. James says that in the offering “the Scripture was fulfilled” (James 2:23). Our conclusion is that James is speaking of a faith already counted for righteousness, which the offering showed and brought to its goal. He says, “faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected.” (James 2:22). Our conclusion is also that Paul and James answer different errors. Paul answers those who would be counted righteous by their works (Romans 4:2–5). James answers those who say they have faith but do nothing (James 2:14, 18). Neither says that works earn eternal life.

James 2:24 must be read in its own setting. James asks about a man who “says he has faith, but has no works” (James 2:14). The faith he denies is “faith apart from works” (James 2:20, 26), the kind demons have (James 2:19). Our conclusion is that “not only by faith” (James 2:24) means not by a faith that stands alone without deeds. Our conclusion is that justified in James 2:21–24 means that Abraham’s works showed and fulfilled the righteousness counted to him in Genesis 15:6. James says that then “the Scripture was fulfilled” (James 2:23). The Catholic reading, that his justification increased, also fits the words “by works faith was perfected” (James 2:22). Our conclusion rests on James 2:23 and on Paul’s reading of the same verse (Romans 4:2–6), not on James 2:24 alone. James names a second example: Rahab “received the messengers and sent them out another way” (James 2:25). Hebrews tells the same story as faith: “By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.” (Hebrews 11:31). Article 7 concluded that James 2 warns against a faith that is only said. Our conclusion is that James shows what living faith does, and does not teach that its deeds earn eternal life. Paul calls it “faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6). We invite readers to read James 2:14–26 and Romans 4:1–12 side by side.

Grace Does Not Excuse Sin; It Teaches Us to Live

What the text says. Paul knew some would twist his message. He wrote that some slanderously said he taught, “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” (Romans 3:8). He asks the question himself in Romans 6:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?

— Romans 6:1–2

He asks it again: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!” (Romans 6:15). He tells Titus what grace does:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

— Titus 2:11–14

Jude warns of “ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency,” (Jude 4). Paul writes, “For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.” (Galatians 5:13). Passages: Romans 6:3–14; 8:1–4; 13:8–10.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that grace does not give believers leave to keep sinning (Romans 6:1–2, 15). It says plainly that God’s grace instructs believers to deny ungodliness and to live “soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:12). Our conclusion is that the grace that forgives is also the grace that trains. Our conclusion is also that anyone who uses grace as a license to sin has turned it into something else, as Jude says (Jude 4). Paul writes, “Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10).

Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there might be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end,

— Hebrews 3:12–14

Some read Hebrews 3:14 the other way: holding firm shows that a person had already become a partaker. They add John’s words about some who left: “They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.” (1 John 2:19). Our conclusion is that John is speaking of the antichrists he names in the verse before (1 John 2:18). Our conclusion is also that John’s words “if they had belonged to us” (1 John 2:19) explain why these antichrists left. They do not make a rule for every believer who turns away (1 John 2:24). In the same chapter he writes, “If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.” (1 John 2:24). He says, “you will remain in him.” (1 John 2:27). Then he writes, “Now, little children, remain in him,” (1 John 2:28). Our conclusion is that John gives the promise and the command together, to those in whom the message remains (1 John 2:24, 27–28). Hebrews warns “holy brothers” (Hebrews 3:1) against “falling away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Our conclusion is that a warning against falling away from the living God is given to those who belong to him (Hebrews 3:1, 12, 14).

Paul tells the Colossians they have been reconciled “in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him,” (Colossians 1:22). He adds, “if it is so that you continue in the faith,” (Colossians 1:23). He tells the Gentile believers in Rome, “you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;” (Romans 11:20). He adds, “otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22). He tells the Galatians who sought to be justified by the law, “You have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4). Our conclusion is that the promises speak of what no outside power can do. Our conclusion is also that the warnings speak to believers about turning away in unbelief. Our conclusion is that no outside power takes the gift away, but that a believer who turns away in unbelief can be lost (Romans 11:20–22; Hebrews 3:12). That is our answer in Questions Answered. We invite readers to read John 10:22–30 and Hebrews 3:1–4:16 whole.

Questions Answered

These questions touch this article. Each is answered from Scripture and labeled. The Statement of Faith, section 15, gives the same answers.

Whether a true believer can fall away for good. Our conclusion: a true believer can turn away from Christ in unbelief and be lost. No one and nothing outside can take a believer who keeps trusting him.

Hebrews says to brothers: “Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there might be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God;” (Hebrews 3:12).

Read the other way: John 10:27–29; 1 John 2:19; Philippians 1:6; John 6:39; Romans 8:39; 1 Peter 1:5. Confidence: Solid. The warnings are written to believers in plain words; the promises speak of outside force and of sheep that follow.

Whether baptism is necessary for salvation. Our conclusion: every believer is commanded to be baptized, without delay, and no one may treat it as optional. We are saved by grace through faith, and Scripture condemns unbelief, not a believer kept from water.

Peter said: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).

Read the other way: Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16; John 3:5. Confidence: Solid. The command is plain, and so is salvation by faith; Acts 2:38 and 22:16 join them in the normal case.

The Sabbath, and which commands bind believers. Our conclusion: believers are not under the Law of Moses as a covenant, so the weekly Sabbath does not bind them. They are bound by the law of Christ: love, and the commands Jesus and the apostles gave.

Paul wrote: “Let no one therefore judge you in eating or drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.” (Colossians 2:16–17).

Read the other way: Exodus 31:16; Matthew 5:17–18; Hebrews 4:9; Genesis 2:3; Mark 2:27. Confidence: Solid. Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14:5 speak to days directly; which other commands bind is answered by the apostles’ teaching.

Whether salvation depends on these questions. Our conclusion: salvation depends on believing the good news about Jesus and remaining in his teaching. It does not depend on settling every question in this document.

Jesus said: “I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24).

Read the other way: John 8:24; 1 John 2:23; Galatians 1:9. Confidence: Solid. John 8:24 and 2 John 9 name what is required; Romans 14:1 shows that not every question divides.

“The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

Where We Stand

Scripture says

• “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
• Believers are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
• “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).
• “Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.” (Romans 4:4). To the one who believes, “his faith is accounted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5).
• “a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).
• All have sinned, and those who believe are “justified freely by his grace” (Romans 3:23–24).
• Peter said, “we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11).
• “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.” (James 2:17).
• Grace does not give leave to keep sinning (Romans 6:1–2), and it instructs believers to live “soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:12).

We conclude

• Our conclusion: grace, as Paul uses the word, is God’s favor given to those who have not earned it (Romans 4:4; 11:6).
• Our conclusion: faith does not earn the gift but receives it (Romans 4:4–5, 16).
• Our conclusion: obeying God’s call to repent, believe and be baptized does not put God in our debt (Romans 4:16; Titus 3:5; Luke 17:10).
• Our conclusion: justified, in Romans 3–4 and Galatians 2, means counted righteous before God (Romans 4:2–6).
• Our conclusion: the law cannot justify because everyone under it has sinned (Romans 3:19–20, 23; Galatians 3:10).
• Our conclusion: Romans 2 states God’s standard truly, and Romans 3 shows that no one meets it under the law (Romans 2:6, 13; 3:19–20).
• Our conclusion: Paul and James answer different errors, and neither says that works earn eternal life (Romans 4:2–5; James 2:14–24).
• Our conclusion: eternal life is the result of a holy life, yet always a gift and an inheritance, never a debt paid for works (Romans 6:22–23; Titus 3:7; Romans 4:4).
• Our conclusion: the grace that forgives is also the grace that trains (Titus 2:11–14).
• Our conclusion: no outside power can take a believer from Christ, and a believer can turn away from him in unbelief and be lost (John 10:28–29; Hebrews 3:12–14).

Hope

Paul writes, “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Romans 5:1). He says why it is sure:

But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.

— Romans 5:8–9

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1). Paul asks, “He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “It is God who justifies.” (Romans 8:33). John writes to believers “that you may know that you have eternal life,” (1 John 5:13). And Jesus said, “He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.” (John 6:37).

Living It Out

These are applications, offered as invitations.

• You might read Ephesians 2:1–10 slowly, and notice each thing God did before you did anything.
• Jesus told of a tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). Consider praying those words as your own.
• If you were taught that you must keep rules to stay in God’s favor, you might read Acts 15:1–11. Hear Peter’s answer: “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:11).
• James asks about a brother or sister in need (James 2:15–16). You might ask whom God has put in front of you this week, and what love would do for them.
• Paul says believers are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). Consider thanking him for one good thing he has done through you, and giving him the credit.

Questions for Reflection

1. In Ephesians 2:8–9, by what are believers saved, through what, and what is it not of? (See the opening.)
2. How does Paul use the words grace and something owed in Romans 4:4–5? (See God Saves by Grace, as a Gift, Not as Wages.)
3. What did Jesus tell the young man in Matthew 19:21, and what did he say in Matthew 19:26? (See the answer under No One Is Made Right with God by the Works of the Law.)
4. Paul and James both quote Genesis 15:6. What does each use it to show? (See Faith Without Works Is Dead; Faith Works Through Love.)
5. What does Romans 6:1–2 say to someone who thinks grace allows them to keep sinning? (See Grace Does Not Excuse Sin; It Teaches Us to Live.)
6. Where might you be trying to earn what God offers as a gift? (See Living It Out.)

Check It Yourself

• Opening: Ephesians 2:1–10; Acts 2:38; 17:30.
• By grace, as a gift: Ephesians 1:7; 2:1–9; Titus 3:3–7; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 3:24; 4:4–5, 16; 5:15–17; 6:23; 11:6; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 11:18; 17:30; Mark 16:16; Philippians 2:12–13; John 6:28–29; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Luke 17:10.
• Not by the works of the law: Galatians 2:15–21; 3:6–14; 5:4; Romans 2:1–29; 3:19–31; 4:1–11; 8:3–4; Genesis 15:6; Acts 13:38–39; 15:1–11, 24, 28; Philippians 3:8–9; Luke 18:9–14; Matthew 19:16–26; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
• Faith that works: Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; Titus 3:8; James 2:14–26; Genesis 15:4–6; 21:5; 22:1–12; Hebrews 11:17–19, 31; Matthew 7:24; 16:27; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 6:10; Galatians 6:8; Romans 6:22–23; Titus 3:7.
• Grace teaches: Romans 3:8; 6:1–15; 8:1–4; 13:8–10; Titus 2:11–14; Jude 4; Galatians 5:13; John 10:22–30; Romans 8:38–39; Hebrews 3:1, 12–14; 1 John 2:18–28; Romans 8:35–39; Colossians 1:19–23; Romans 11:20–22.
• Answered: Statement of Faith, section 15; Hebrews 3:12; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:16–17; John 8:24; Deuteronomy 29:29.
• Hope: Romans 5:1–2, 8–9; 8:1, 31–34; 1 John 5:11–13; John 6:37.

Notes on the Text

Mark 16:9–20 is missing from Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, the two oldest Greek manuscripts that contain the end of Mark (both fourth century). The SBLGNT double-brackets it.

Next

Next in The Good News: Following Jesus. If we are saved by grace for good works, what does Scripture say a life of following Jesus looks like?

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© 2026 Elvis Lucas, Open the Text. Original: https://openthetext.com/series/the-good-news/08-saved-by-grace-as-a-gift/
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