Ephesians 2:6-10 (WEL) He raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 7 So that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace, you are saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has planned that we should live our lives doing.
V6 He raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
When Jesus died, the sins of all humanity were laid on Him. It is as if Jesus carried all the sins, all the wrath, and all the consequences of people’s sins. Compare Leviticus 8:14-22, 2 Chronicles 29:23, and Isaiah 53:6 for the Lord Jesus is the sin offering (Romans 8:3), the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Likewise, Jesus physically rose from the dead as our High Priest; Jesus’s resurrection proves that He was the successful and acceptable High Priest who presented His own blood in the Holy of Holies in Heaven, 2) He was and is sinless, 3) He is the only Savior, 4) He is the final judge of who is allowed in heaven or not (Acts 17:31), 5) He is the Head of the Church, 6) He is the mediator between God and mankind, and 7) He is the holder of keys of Hades and death (Revelation 1:18). Compare Psalm 2:7.
The resurrection of Jesus is the most monumental and life-saving event ever was, is, or will be.
Because of Jesus’s resurrection, we will be raised from physical death to receive a new body like the resurrected Lord Jesus had. All believers are as good as in heaven itself, having fellowship with God (1 John 1:4).
V7 So that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Even after millions of millennia, we will still be learning of the exceeding great spiritual blessings of God’s kindness and grace. All this is only possible because of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
V8 For by grace, you are saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
We are not saved, forgiven, names written in heaven by what we do or do not do. It is only by God’s grace when He initiated salvation, convicted, freed, and regenerated.
It does not refer to faith but salvation. Salvation is by God’s grace and our faith.
Comments:
(Word Pictures in the New Testament (6 Vols.)) “For by grace (tei gar chariti). Explanatory reason. “By the grace” already mentioned in verse 5 and so with the article. Through faith (dia pisteos). This phrase he adds in repeating what he said in verse 5 to make it plainer. “Grace” is God’s part, “faith” ours. And that (kai touto). Neuter, not feminine taute, and so refers not to pistis (feminine) or to charis (feminine also), but to the act of being saved by grace conditioned on faith on our part. Paul shows that salvation does not have its source (ex humon, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God’s gift (doron) and not the result of our work.”
AskAndyAI (Dr. Andy Woods, Sugar Land Bible Church):
“In Ephesians 2:8, the word “gift” refers to salvation, not faith. The verse says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The key point is that salvation is the gift from God, which is received through faith. Faith itself is the means or instrument by which one receives this gift, but faith is not the gift itself.
“There are several reasons to understand “gift” as salvation rather than faith:
1. Greek Grammar: The Greek word for “faith” (pistis) is feminine, while the word for “gift” (dōron) is neuter. In Greek, if one word modifies another, their genders must agree. Since “gift” and “faith” differ in gender, “gift” cannot be referring to “faith” here.
2. Biblical Usage: The Bible never explicitly calls faith a gift. Other things are called gifts, such as salvation, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual blessings, but faith is consistently presented as a human response to God’s offer, not a gift given apart from that response.
3. Contextual Meaning: The verse emphasizes that salvation is by grace and not by works, so that no one can boast. This underscores that salvation itself is the unearned gift from God. Faith is the means by which we receive this gift, but it is not the gift itself.
4. Theological Clarity: Salvation is a free gift from God, received by faith alone, apart from works. Faith is the condition or channel through which the gift of salvation is received, but it is not a work or merit, nor is it itself the gift.
“Therefore, Ephesians 2:8 teaches that salvation is the gift of God, received through faith, not that faith itself is the gift.
“Relevant Bible verses:
• Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
• Romans 4:4-5 NASB: “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
• Hebrews 11:6 NASB: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
V9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Trusting in rituals, in a priest’s ability, in doing good deeds, etc., will not save. All that we do, think, reason, etc., is contaminated, unrighteous, and unreliable.
V10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has planned that we should live our lives doing.
After being born again, then it is God’s plan for us to do good works aligning with His rules, principles, and will. It is to glorify God and be a witness of God’s goodness. This plan was established before creation began.
Family Bible Notes (Edwards): “It was ever the purpose and will of God that those to whom he gives spiritual life should be holy and abound in good works. The deliverance of men from a state of sin and death, by making them alive to holiness, is of God. It springs from his love, is the fruit of his Spirit, and is given not merely to save men from perdition, but to manifest in all ages and worlds the riches of his grace, in kindness to believers, through Jesus Christ.”
We learn:
• Salvation is the gift God gives us because we believed God’s message.
• Good works are not acceptable to God, but after we are born again, then God wants and commands us to do good works.
Questions:
• Are you trusting in anything for salvation other than faith?
• Are what you are doing glorifying God?