What does the phrase 'but God' mean in the gospel?
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'But God' signifies God's intervention in salvation, turning the hopeless condition of man into hope through His grace.
'But God' serves as a pivotal phrase in the gospel narrative, encapsulating the essence of salvation. Ephesians 2:1-5 illustrates man's deadness in sin, leading to a bleak fate devoid of hope. Yet, the dramatic turn occurs with 'but God,' presenting God's rich mercy and great love that intervene in humanity's plight. This signifies that salvation is not a result of human effort but solely of God's grace, demonstrating His divine initiative in bringing life to the spiritually dead and granting them eternal life through Jesus Christ, thus emphasizing the glories of His mercy and grace.
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