Sept. 2025, updated
“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10, KJV.
This passage is often used to argue that Christians cannot save themselves or even cooperate in their own salvation. If they can participate, they will boast of having saved themselves and of working their way into heaven. They will claim some credit, rather than giving all the credit to God. How often have you heard that or something similar?
What is Paul saying in this passage? Salvation is a gift, not something we can earn or deserve. Paul states that faith is the means by which we receive this gift of grace from God. Is that not correct? I don’t think anyone will disagree so far.
The next question arises naturally. Does God give us this faith, or is it something we must bring to the table? Does faith originate from within ourselves or is it, too, a gift from God?
If you are a full Calvinist, you believe that salvation, grace, and faith are gifts that God gives only to the elect. Five-point Calvinists hold that salvation is unconditional and entirely of God from start to finish. We contribute nothing to our own salvation because we are unable to do so. For these Christians, God alone decrees who will be saved. It is solely God’s work, and we contribute nothing to it. If this is true, then the following must be the case: if God did not elect you to salvation, you will not be saved. There are only two options: heaven or hell.
For most other Christians who reject Calvinism’s determinism, faith is something we bring to the table because it is within our power and ability to believe. Salvation depends on our faith in Christ. Faith is the only condition, and it is our duty to believe. Doesn’t that suggest we need to participate in our own salvation? But how can it be a gift if we have to do something to receive it? Yet many of these same Christians argue that our faith is not a ‘work’ because they do not want to seem to claim any credit for their own salvation. But as R. C. Sproul once said, “Is faith not a good work? Surely it is not bad work.” Sproul is right. Exercising faith in God is a good work that we must perform to be saved.
If you think there’s even one condition for salvation, then you must believe we contribute something before we can be saved. You must believe you’re partly responsible for your own salvation. But that seems to contradict what Paul said, “and that not of yourselves.”
How do we make sense of this passage and many others that communicate to us that there are conditions to being saved and inheriting the kingdom of God?
In some of my other articles, I referred to this principle. The procuring cause or source of our salvation is the “that for the sake of which,” while the conditions we must meet to obtain and retain salvation are the “that not without which”. For example, many wills contain conditions that must be met before the inheritance is distributed. Reaching a certain age might be one condition. Graduating from the University might be another. Just because the inheritor must meet one or more conditions, it doesn’t mean that they have earned the inheritance gift. It simply means that they are qualified to receive it as a gift. Because it is a gift. The individuals giving the inheritance know they are giving a gift that was not earned. The inheritor knows they are receiving a gift they did not earn, even if they must meet certain conditions before receiving and accepting it. Are you with me so far?
Here is another example. I have used this example in other articles. A young man, through careless living, contracted a fatal disease. The doctor told him he must do the following, or he will die. The doctor said he must stop certain behaviors and take the prescribed medication as directed. If the young man follows these instructions, he will recover from this disease.
How does this story end if the young man has no faith in the Doctor and refuses to stop his harmful behavior or to take the prescription as directed?
The young man dies. He must meet all the conditions, or death will be the result. He can’t take the medication and continue his destructive behaviors. If he does, he will die. Who caused the young man’s death? The doctor and the medication did not kill him. He killed himself by refusing to meet the conditions of his own healing. He alone is responsible.
How does this story end when the young man has faith in the doctor, stops this harmful behavior, and takes the prescription as ordered?
The young man lives a long and healthy life. In this case, who saved this young man?Clearly, the doctor deserves credit for the proper diagnosis. Credit also goes to the medication and those who developed it. And finally, the young man is responsible for saving himself. He committed to trusting the doctor and meeting the two conditions for his recovery. He stopped the harmful behavior and took the medication as prescribed by the doctor. Can you imagine this young man claiming that he saved himself, asserting that the doctor or medication had nothing to do with it? I do not believe it.
This is how salvation works in scripture. God (the great physician) is the procuring cause of salvation (that for the sake of which), while the conditions are the “that not without which” of salvation. To inherit eternal life, the Great Physician has instructed us to repent and believe the gospel. If we refuse to satisfy these conditions, we will not receive the grace and mercy of God, and eternal death is the consequence. This is the synergy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has done His part, but unless we satisfy the conditions (our part), the inheritance of eternal life is impossible.
Paul clearly states in this book and in his other epistles that he does not claim that we have no part in our salvation. Remember this: only sinners (criminals) need God’s forgiveness and redemption. Sinners are guilty and deserve punishment. The gift of grace is conditioned on repentance and faith. Hopefully, most of us can all agree on that. I know that some will disagree that repentance from sin is a condition of salvation.
If we are saved by meeting the conditions of salvation, the glory goes to God, who made a way for hopelessly lost sinners and criminals to be forgiven and to inherit the Kingdom of God. As a sinner, where is the boasting? I have never met a sinner who bragged about saving themselves. Have you? Anyone who genuinely thinks they do not need God’s forgiveness for their sins probably isn’t a Christ follower to begin with. In Paul’s and John’s day, some Jews believed they were free of all sin and had never sinned. Might Paul be alluding to these individuals?
But what is this grace and faith Paul is talking about?
And according to ChatGPT and most evangelical pastors, “the phrase, ‘and that not of yourselves,’ makes it clear that neither the grace nor the faith originates in human effort. It all flows from God’s initiative. Faith is trusting fully in Christ’s finished work rather than in ourselves”. The phrase “neither the grace nor the faith originates in human effort” is or should be a problem for every Christian but the five-point Calvinist.
ChatGPT continues, “This gift is not of works, which eliminates man’s boasting and taking credit for their salvation, because it does not come from religious rituals, moral deeds, or self-righteous striving. This directly confronts pride and the notion that one could obligate God through good behavior. Instead, salvation remains entirely God’s gift, leaving us humbled and dependent”.
This advice and interpretation of this and other similar passages reveal what is wrong with evangelical Christianity today. We are too afraid to state the obvious truth that there are conditions we must meet to be saved and forgiven, which leads us to accept contradictions and religious nonsense. Repenting of our sins and having faith in Christ are not meritorious acts. It is acknowledging our terrible guilt before God and seeking His mercy and forgiveness through confession and turning away from our evil deeds. This makes it possible for God to forgive us, even though we have earned nothing.
Evangelical Christianity has made void not only the law of God but also saving faith, which is obedient and virtuous. However, many evangelicals hold that faith and obedience are distinct. They think we can have a saving faith that is not an obedient faith. That error will send many to perdition. Saving faith is obedient, and that is what makes it saving.
How do we know if we have the right kind of faith?
In this passage, Paul declares that we sinners are saved for good works, yet not by them. Good works do not cancel out wicked works. Paul immediately teaches that good works are essential, but as the fruit, not the root, of salvation. Why is that? Sinners are by definition those who do evil, even if they may occasionally do a few good works. Believers are described as his workmanship, or master piece. Thus, grace saves us from sin (not in sin) and also empowers us to live in righteousness. See Titus 2 for a great definition of grace.
Summary thought by ChaptGPT
“This passage holds together two vital truths:
- Salvation is entirely God’s gift, received through faith, not earned.
- That salvation inevitably results in a transformed life marked by obedience and good works.
In other words, works cannot cause salvation, but true salvation always produces good works. Grace is both the foundation and the ongoing power of the Christian life.”
Finally, we obtain valuable and accurate information from ChatGPT. I do not believe that most evangelicals would agree with point number 2. They teach and believe that Christians never stop sinning in this life. Their lives are not “marked by obedience and good works” but by sinfulness. Sin (unrighteousness) is the normal Christian experience, and righteousness is the occasional exception. But that is not the gospel.
The gospel is that sin (unrighteousness) becomes the exception and righteousness is the rule. “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one which doeth righteousness is born of him.” 1 John 2:29. See also 1 John 3:1-9. If you do not understand these passages, you are probably under strong delusion.
How did the early church fathers interpret this verse prior to Augustine?
This is also from ChatGPT. Early Church Fathers on Ephesians 2:8-10.
1. Irenaeus (c. 130–202 AD)
“In Against Heresies (Book 4, ch. 37), Irenaeus emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not earned. He links this passage to God’s mercy and Christ’s work, excluding boasting. Yet, he stresses Christians must walk in righteousness because God has prepared us to live holy lives. For Irenaeus, grace restores humanity so we can freely obey God again”.
Most of the evangelical Church will not accept what this saint of God said. They do not believe that Christians “must walk in righteousness” as if their salvation depended on it. Why is that the case? Because they have been convinced that they are eternally secure in their ongoing unrighteousness.
2. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD)
“In the Stromata (Book 2), Clement writes that salvation is not by human works but through faith and God’s grace. However, true faith is ‘active,’ producing good works. He uses Ephesians 2:10 to argue that Christians must walk in the works God prepared, otherwise faith is dead. Salvation is a synergy: God initiates through grace, but man cooperates by living virtuously”.
The word “synergy” is a word that some Christians despise and believe is a false gospel. Too bad Clement did not have them around to instruct him on the meaning of salvation and the gospel.
3. Origen (c. 185–254 AD)
“In his Commentary on Romans (and fragments on Ephesians), Origen explains that grace is God’s free gift, given so that we might work righteousness. Paul is not against works themselves, but against boasting in them. He compares this to Israel: chosen by grace but expected to walk in God’s law. Christians likewise are saved by grace, for holy living”.
Even carnal Christians today might accept the idea that Christians should aspire to walk in holiness, provided that walking in righteousness is not a requirement for salvation, as Origen seems to indicate.
4. John Chrysostom (c. 349–407 AD)
“In Homilies on Ephesians (Homily 4), Chrysostom comments that ‘Even faith is not from ourselves.’ God supplies grace and the ability to believe, but the believer must cooperate with grace, since ‘we are created unto good works.’ He refutes the idea that faith could remain idle—grace removes boasting, but good works prove the reality of faith”.
This saint believed that God supplies both grace and faith, but we must “cooperate” with grace. Synergy and cooperation are terms that many Christians believe teach a false gospel because they appear to be based on works.
5. Summary of the Fathers, according to ChatGPT
• “Salvation is from God’s grace, not man’s merit.
• Human works cannot cause salvation, but salvation results in obedience and holy living.
• Their theology: Grace saves us, faith receives it, and good works are the evidence of it.
This approach is closer to the Eastern Fathers and later Eastern Orthodox theology, emphasizing a grace-enabled faith that works through love”.
What’s next in our exegesis of this passage?
We have looked at the teachings of the early church and considered the passage. Now, let us examine the context more closely.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” Ephesians 1:4.
The apostle tells the readers that God’s purpose is for His children to be holy, just as He is holy. God’s goal isn’t that we hope or aspire to be holy someday, but that we are now holy and blameless before Him in love. Many Christians think this is just a dream and can never be real until we die and go to heaven. Evangelical Christians are taught and believe that we are born with a sinful nature that stays with us until death. They also believe it’s impossible for us, as mere believers, to be consistently holy in our walk before God and others.
Many evangelicals read a passage like this and assume that we are imputed with the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ because we cannot obey God consistently. Our standing in heaven is one of imputed perfection, while our state here on earth remains that of unrepentant sinners. God sees Christ’s perfect obedience and imputes it to us, even though we are still sinning. This is a great delusion of evangelical Christianity. The Word of God doesn’t teach this.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom we also had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-4
Paul tells them that they were once sinners but are no longer living in sin and disobedience, “fulfilling the desires of the flesh”. God has quickened them, “who were dead in their trespasses and sins and by nature (character) children of wrath”, emphasis added.See also 1 Corinthians 6:8-10, where Paul says the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul lists the sins of unrighteousness and says, “such were some of you”. He does not say, ‘such are some of you,’ as most evangelicals actually think and believe.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. (by grace are ye saved:). Ephesians 2:5.
Paul says that God, “even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us.” He is saying that at one time we were sinners, but now God has quickened us, and we no longer walk in sin. We are now saints.
Now, let us consider what follows Ephesians 2:8-10, which states that we are saved by grace through faith and that this is not of our own doing but a gift from God.
In verse 11, Paul calls the Ephesians to remember that they were once Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by the Jews. They were without Christ and the promises of God, having no hope (verse 12). But now that they are in Christ, all has changed (verse 13).
In verse 15, Paul says this, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of circumcision contained in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” We are a new man, both Jews and Gentiles, if we are in Christ and abide in Him.
In verse 1 of Ephesians chapter 4, Paul writes, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called. Paul tells us to walk worthy, presupposing that we can, in fact, do so. Yet very few Christians believe that is true because they have been brainwashed into thinking they have inherited a sinful nature that they will never overcome in this life.
In verse 17, Paul writes, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind.” He talks about those Gentiles “who have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” in verse 19. Again, Paul tells them to walk no longer as other Gentiles do in the vanity of their mind. Paul apparently knew nothing of a sinful nature that would prevent them from obeying his command.
In the following verses, Paul reminds them that, in Christ, they have put off the old man and all the sinfulness he practiced, and that the Spirit has renewed them. “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” The new man walks in holiness and not in sin.
And to make sure there is no misunderstanding of what Paul is saying, he writes, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members of one another. Be angry and sin not; Let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the things which are good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:25-32, emphasis added. Does that not sound like Paul was telling them to stop sinning and walk in righteousness?
Then, in Ephesians Chapter 5, verses 3-16, Paul emphasizes what he has been telling them with the clearest language possible. This language is similar to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:8-10 and Galatians 5. Do not be deceived, for the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God, including professing Christians who refuse to repent of their sins.
Many Christians assume that when Paul says the Holy Spirit seals Christians, “whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”, that means they are eternally secure even while they live in unrepentant sin. However, Paul makes it clear throughout this book and other works that it is not true. This is most clear in Ephesians 5, where he drives this point home. Paul refuted the idea that God’s saints could remain sinners. Also, the phrase “being sealed” is reminiscent of 1 Corinthians 3 and the concept of being “saved as yet by fire”. Those who believe in the eternal security of ‘sinning saints’ hold both these expressions to be proof of eternal security. First Corinthians Chapter six makes it clear that the unrighteous, including Christians, will not inherit the kingdom of God. How is it that so few evangelicals believe the word of God?
Pay close attention to the following warning from Paul. He is telling these professing Christians that if they continue to walk in the darkness of sin and refuse to walk in the light of righteousness, they will not, under any circumstances, inherit the Kingdom of God. How very few evangelical Christians believe that is the message of the Word of God, when it clearly is.
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named amoungst you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving thanks. For we know that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3-6, emphasis added.
We are to walk as children of the light and reprove the deeds of darkness. Christians are the saints of God, who habitually walk in holiness and righteousness, and do not sin. But this message is not acceptable to our current generation of evangelical Christians, who demand to hear smooth things from the pulpit.
For by grace (God’s gift) we have been saved (from sin and not in sin) through faith. Genuine Christianshave been saved from the bondage of sinfulness. But that is not what most evangelical Christians think and believe. They are almost universally convinced that they are saved in their ongoing commission of sin and not from the practice of sin.
The book of Ephesians is not a haven or refuge for Christians who sin, as many believe. You will also notice that Paul repeatedly told his readers that they are responsible for walking in the light. Paul certainly did not suggest that they wait for God to do what He requires of them. There is nothing in this book that should prevent or encourage Christians from doing what God requires. We are commanded to repent of sin and believe in Jesus Christ. And none of that negates the fact that we are saved by grace through faith. It is a gift from God.
