TheWay BibleHome›Bible›Ephesians›Ephesians 2›Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
Ephesians · chapter 2 · verses 8–9
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9 · King James Version
What Ephesians 2:8-9 means
Grace is the reason, faith is how you receive it, and Paul says the whole thing is the gift of God, not of yourselves. If you could earn it you'd have something to boast about, and he shuts that door. The next verse says we're created unto good works — so works still matter, just never as the price.
Study note provided by TheWay Bible App, separate from the KJV text. Read the full chapter in context and compare interpretations. Report a correction.
Ephesians 2:8-9 in context
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Commentary
Cross references
- Romans 3:22-26
- Ephesians 2:5
- Romans 4:16
- John 1:12-13
- Romans 10:17
- Romans 10:9-10
- Acts 16:31
- James 1:16-18
- 2 Timothy 1:9
- Romans 11:6
- Titus 3:3-5
- Romans 9:16
Key words (Strong's)
- yourselveshymōnof yoursG5216 →
- throughdiathrough, of place, with, in, of time, throughout, during, of means, by, by the means of…G1223 →
- gracecharisgrace, that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness grace of…G5485 →
- savedsōzōto save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, one , to save a…G4982 →
- faithpistisconviction of the truth of anything, belief in the NT of a conviction or belief…G4102 →
- worksergonbusiness, employment, that which any one is occupied, that which one undertakes to do…G2041 →
- giftdōrona gift, present, gifts offered in expression of honour, of sacrifices and other gifts…G1435 →
- lesthina mēlest, that... notG3363 →
Topics
Keep reading in TheWay Bible App
Read, study, memorize, journal, and pray — tap any word for its Greek or Hebrew definition, save verses to memorize, and keep a journal. Free on the web and iOS.
Here the apostle begins his account of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace, where observe, I. By whom, and in what manner, it was brought about and effected. 1. Negatively: Not of yourselves, Eph 2:8.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 4-10