'Ground' in the Bible

For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is God's gift, and is not on the ground of merit--

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.

So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart),