Grace by Faith Alone - Is Repentance a "Work"?

Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us that, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Scripture taken as a whole also requires repentance for salvation (Matthew 4:17, Luke 5:32, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3; Luke 24:47).

These two statements may seem to be at odds at each other- grace by faith alone but the act of repentance is required for salvation.

The answer to this problem is that repentance is not a work of our own doing- it is a gift from God. Acts 11:18 tells us that it is God who grants repentance that leads to life. 2 Timothy 2:25 also speaks of God granting repentance "leading to a knowledge of the truth."