Are we saved by faith or through faith?

Answer:

The problem is that "by" and "through" are similar enough words in English that they are often used interchangeably.

In Acts 15:9, Peter said God "made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith." However, in the Greek text, "by" is not present and is supplied by the translators to make the sentence read properly in English.

"For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all" (Romans 4:16). Here "by" translates "ek," a Greek word more often translated as "of". It refers to the point from which an action proceeds. "Ek" is also used in Romans 5:1, where we learn we are justified by faith.

In Galatians 2:16, Paul said, "Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified." "Through" translates the Greek word "dia," which indicates the channel through which something happens. "By" translates the Greek word "ek" again. Notice that we are both justified through faith and by faith. Thus, both phrases can be appropriately used.