3.a. John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8,9--Foot-in-Glove
We move on now and will consider the broader implications of the tensions between "The Weak" and Paul and his disciples. Paul says that the means of salvation is mere mental assent to facts and confession with the mouth that those facts are "true" in several places in his writings. Most famously, the faith alone doctrine is found in the following places: Romans 3:28, Romans 4:5, Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11, Galatians 3:24; Ephesians 2:8–9. For Paul, "Faith" is "firm persuasion, conviction, or trust" that is "Often directed toward God or Christ." Paul says, famously, that eternal life isn't obtained by works of any kind but by mere faith. This is seen clearest in Ephesians 2:8,9: "And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast." Jesus, on the contrary, expects works for us to be saved. Gentiles, too, as we shall see.
Take note of the following clear passages: Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 12:50; John 6:40; John 15:1-6. Paul actually miss-represents Jesus' salvation message, saying, "And that not of yourselves." Recall that Jesus was asked the question, "Who then can be saved?" to which he answered, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:23-26). The context shows just one crucial, basic principle that applies to us all: Jesus expected the Rich man to do good works to be saved; Jesus said that "with God" the man could've done that had he repented and submitted to the will of God. This demonstrates that a person's salvation depends on a working relationship with God. Paul's sophistry has duped countless souls and has obfuscated the truth of what Jesus said to all of mankind (Matthew 28:19, 20). God will work with us to accomplish the salvation he wants to give us, if only we would humble ourselves and do what he says and be as little children. Part of doing what He says means we must test Paul (Deuteronomy 13)!
Now John 3:16 is often cited to refute the claim that Jesus expected works and acts as a sort of parallel to Ephesians 2:8,9. Nothing could be further from the truth. The phrase "that whoseover believeth in" needs to be understood in light of the actual meaning of the terms. The English phrase “believe in” as it's found in the KJV and other modern translations is a weakened English rendering of the Greek pisteuo eis. It's not that it's improper to "believe in" Jesus--it's that the force is hidden. "Believe in" means,
1. BDAG, “to entrust oneself [to a person] in complete confidence, believe (in), trust w. implication of total commitment to the one who is trusted” (pg. 817, 3rd ed.).
2. “2. to believe, comply, obey" (Liddell & Scott’s, XXIVth edition, 1891, pg. 561).
3. “2. to comply” (LSJ, pg. 1408, 1968 edition).
4. “4...finally persons, in which case [πιστεύω] can acquire the nuance ‘to obey’” (TDNT, vol. VI, pg. 178). (We see from the Hebrew sense how this comes to be).
5. “2b Ac. 2:44 (those) who made their commitment.” (BDAG, pg. 317).
6. “2. to instrust a thing to one, i.e. to his fidelity: Lk. xvi. 11; Jn. ii. 24; to be instrusted with a thing:” (Thayer).
The KJV translators either knew all of this but hid it or they didn't know it. We can test the claim easily. In John 2:24,25, we see the following in the KJV: "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men." If we look at an Interlinear like the Mounce Reverse Interlinear, we uncover the truth: "24But de as for Jesus Iēsous, he autos did not ou entrust pisteuō himself autos to them autos, because dia · ho he autos knew ginōskō all pas men." When "pisteuo" is "toward" or "in relation" to a person, the emphasis is on commitment, fidelity, obedience. Jesus did not piesteo eis (commit unto) those people'; therefore, the inverse of John 2:24 is required of the disciple: we are to commit unto, remain faithful to, or OBEY Jesus. The meaning is clear.
The Young's Literal Translation puts it this way: "for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the only begotten -- He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during." The proper understanding is that the "faith" is an ongoing relationship--that takes a lot of work. The Greek revealed to us that true faith is obedience. John 3:16 could be translated thus:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son; that whoseover totally commits to/ obeys/ makes their commitment to/ is faithful to him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
Paul's faith alone gospel is capable of damning people to the Lake of Fire. Jesus' Gospel is capable of rescuing those people if they'll repent and forsake it. There is a broad way and a narrow way. Paul's "Faith Only" way is the broad, easy way: faith alone. See James 2:17-26. In verse 24, we find "faith only" referenced: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." True faith is "faith that works." James said a person without works Is Not Justified. He got that from his brother Jesus.