Grace and Works: Ephesians 2:8-10
Scripture Study
We invite you to use these scripture studies for personal enrichment, group study or discipleship.
Context
The overarching theme of Ephesians 2:1–10 is salvation by grace through faith. God lavishes his grace on Christians through his saving initiative. Paul explains to his readers that they were spiritually dead, completely unable to respond to God. They were not only spiritually dead, but condemned to eternal destruction. But then came the miracle. God had mercy on the corrupt, captive, helpless human race because of his great mercy, love and kindness. He saved us from sin and death and gave us victory over the powers of evil. We didn’t achieve this by ourselves, and we certainly didn’t deserve it. But God did it for us because of his grace.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Key terms
Grace
God’s unmerited favor toward humanity and especially his people, realized through the covenant and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. A defining characteristic of the Christian faith, grace is the gift of God manifested in Jesus Christ that makes it possible for God to forgive sinners and to gather them in the church.
Faith
It is the human response to Divine truth. Its primary idea is trust in accordance with the evidence the person or thing on which it rests is true and reliable. Biblical faith is not a blind leap or wishful thinking. It is active and obedient trust in a God who has shown himself trustworthy.
Clarification
We are not saved by:
Church attendance
Giving
Hard work
Service
Being a “good person”
Bible reading
Prayer
Doing good things
Study questions
- By what means are we saved?
- Why is the concept of grace so contrary to our human nature?
- By what means are we not saved? Why?
- What is the relationship between our faith and our works?
- What is the difference between the works in verse 10 and the works Paul discredits in verse 9?
- What does it mean to “walk in” good works?
- How does this text refute the ideas of legalism (we contribute to our salvation through good works) and licentiousness (once we’re saved, we can do anything we want because our salvation is secure)?
- According to verse 10, who are we, or more accurately, whose are we?
- What are the characteristics of those who have been saved by grace through faith?
- How do these verses change how we understand our identity as people?
Application Questions
- What is the main thing that stood out to you from this meditation?
- How does Paul’s view of grace and works differ from what you believe?
- Write down one action you will take because of what you have learned from this passage?
“Grace and Works: Ephesians 2:8-10,” The Advent Christian Witness, Winter 2020