Ephesians 2:4-5 - it is by grace you have been saved

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:4-5

Commentary

The words, But God, indicate that a stupendous change has taken place. It is a change from the doom and despair of the valley of death to the unspeakable delights of the kingdom of the Son of God's love. The Author of the change is God Himself. No one else could have done it, and no one else would have done it. One characteristic of this blessed One is that He is rich in mercy. He shows mercy to us by not treating us the way we deserve to be treated (Ps. 103:10).

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Eph 2:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Mercy and Grace

Mercy withholds from a person what is deserved (in this case, judgment); "grace" gives what is not deserved-salvation (v. 5).2:8, 9 Faith is not itself a work that somehow merits salvation; rather it is a response of trust stimulated by the Holy Spirit and leading to salvation. God's purpose in making salvation a free gift is to eliminate any possibility of people boasting in their own self-efforts (Rom. 3:27).

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Eph 2:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.