Parashat Ki Tisa
A fundamental belief we hold is we are saved by grace through faith, and we cannot earn our salvation.
But what is this grace by which we are saved? It is commonly taught that grace is unmerited favor. In this case, salvation is given to someone who has done nothing to earn salvation, thus the favor they have is unmerited.
This understanding is correct in a sense, but it doesn’t fully grasp what grace is or the mechanism by which grace brings about salvation.
Grace comes from the Hebrew word “Chen”, which is translated throughout the Tanach as favor – specifically, merited favor.
So if grace is merited favor, why do we say grace is unmerited favor?
The mechanism by which grace brings about salvation is that the merited favor of an individual is given to those who don’t have any merit of their own.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9, nasb