"And my sense is that as you keep reading, you will find that when it comes to 'by all means, save some' Paul is not talking about eternal life, which he elsewhere makes repeatedly clear that our salvation is not of ourselves (Eph 2:8-9) and also not of Paul (1 Cor 1:14-15). Rather he is describing their awareness of being saved while they were dead in sin (Eph 2:5) and the experience of life as a result."

And of course, Bill, this is where to totally disagree. When Paul says "not of ourselves" he means not of ourselves outside Christ like we are born. Paul never negates the human factor in salvation and always presents what a believer can do in Christ. Paul is writing especially to Jews who think they can be saved without Christ but it also has an application to the Gentiles as well.

The sinner can "save himself" by the way he responds to the gospel under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit. Both the liberal and conservative elements confound this issue.