The Bible teaches that faith is a gift from God, bestowed upon His elect to enable them to believe in Christ.
The concept of bestowed faith is grounded in the understanding that spiritual belief cannot originate from human will or effort; rather, it is a divine gift. Ephesians 1:15-16 reflects this truth as it speaks to the faith of believers being rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith is not self-generated but is given freely by God's grace, affirming His sovereign authority in the salvation process. Salvation is described explicitly in Scripture as entirely the Lord's work, as Isaiah 43:11 states, 'I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior.' Therefore, bestowed faith serves as a means through which the elect recognize their salvation through Christ alone.
Commentary