Romans 1:5a

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

(v5, NIV)

It is through him that we receive grace. We do not receive grace through anything other than through him. If grace is what we receive, what is grace? We're not talking about the movements of an ice skater or simply something we say before meals. Paul has just been talking about the gospel of God for the past few verses. Grace is built upon this gospel of God.

Paul is talking about not just receiving grace but receiving apostleship. From this we can gather that Paul is speaking more specifically about a receiving for ministry. This gifting is undeserved and freely given. How was Paul given this? Paul did not receive it on the basis of his effort or work. Paul was moving in the opposite direction, and God allowed him to do so. However, from the way in which God works, we know without a doubt that it was God and God alone who moved powerfully in Paul's life.

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

(Romans 4:4, NIV)

Paul did not work or merit anything he received from God. Instead, it was received by grace. If he had worked for it, it would be owed to him.

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

(Romans 11:6, NIV)

This is a passage that does good in defining what grace is in a way. Grace is not by works. If it is by works, then it is no longer grace. The mere fact that work was involved nullifies the possibility that it was by grace.

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

(Romans 4:16, NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Grace and faith go hand in hand. You can't really receive grace without faith, can you? The promise comes by faith and is in accordance with grace. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the means by which you receive it, not by works.