Saved by grace, made for good works

Ephesians

Ephesians 2:1-10

EPH_004

NET Bible Text

2:1 And although you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2:2 in which you formerly lived according to this world's present path, according to the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the ruler of the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience, 2:3 among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest... 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 2:5 even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you are saved! - 2:6 and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 2:7 to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 2:9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

Simple Summary

Paul says people were spiritually dead in sin and under God’s wrath. But God, rich in mercy, made believers alive with Christ. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, and it leads to the good works God prepared beforehand.

What This Passage Means

Ephesians 2:1-10 shows the great change God brings in salvation. Before God saved them, people were dead in trespasses and sins. They lived according to the world, under hostile spiritual influence, and in sinful desires. Paul says this was the condition of all of us. We were by nature children of wrath.

Then comes the turning point: “But God.” Because of his mercy and great love, God made believers alive together with Christ. He raised them up with him and seated them with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. It is meant to show the riches of his grace in the ages to come.

Paul then states it plainly: by grace you are saved through faith. This is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God. It is not from works, so that no one may boast. Yet grace does not leave people unchanged. God creates his people in Christ Jesus for good works, and he has already prepared these works for them to walk in.

Important Truths

• People without Christ are spiritually dead in sin.
• The old life is shaped by the world, sinful desires, and hostile spiritual influence.
• All people once lived this way and were under wrath.
• God’s mercy and love are the reason he saves.
• Believers are made alive with Christ and share in his risen status.
• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
• Good works are the result and purpose of God’s new creation, not the cause of salvation.

Warnings, Promises, or Commands

• Warning: Do not read verse 8 apart from verse 10. Paul removes boasting in works, but he does not remove the call to good works.
• Warning: Do not weaken “dead” into mere laziness or minor weakness. Paul means real spiritual ruin and guilt.
• Promise: God makes alive those who were dead in sin, because he is rich in mercy and great in love.
• Command/Call: Walk in the good works God prepared beforehand.
• Boasting is excluded. Salvation belongs to God’s grace, not human merit.

How This Fits in God's Plan

This passage shows God saving people in union with Christ. The same power that raised Christ is now shown in those who believe. God saves so that the coming ages will display the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus.

Simple Application

Remember what you were, and remember what God has done. Do not trust your own works for acceptance with God. Rest in his mercy, and let your life show the good works he has prepared for you.