FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH (Ephesians 2:7-10)

FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH

That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:7-10)

Verse 7: Riches of His grace - Salvation, of course, is very much for the believer’s blessing, but it is even more for the purpose of eternally glorifying God for bestowing on believers His endless and limitless grace and kindness. The whole of heaven glorifies Him for what He has done in saving sinners (Ephesians 3:10; Revelation 7:10–12).

Verse 8: Faith; and that not of yourselves - “That” refers to the entire previous statement of salvation, not only the grace but the faith. Although men are required to believe for salvation, even that faith is part of the gift of God which saves and cannot be exercised by one’s own power. God’s grace is preeminent in every aspect of salvation (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16).

Verse 9: Not of works. Not based upon or produced by the works of man. “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Verse 10: Created in Christ Jesus for good works. Good works cannot produce salvation but are subsequent and resultant God-empowered fruits and evidences of it (John 15:8; Philippians 2:12, 13; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 2:14; James 2:16–26).

 Which God prepared beforehand. Like his salvation, a believer’s sanctification and good works were ordained before time began (Romans 8:29, 30).