Ephesians 2:1-10

Throughout his letters, the Apostle Paul faithfully lifts up his churches in prayer, interceding for those he regards as his spiritual children. He pleads with God to grant them wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that they may know Him more deeply and walk in His truth. Paul specifically prays that they would grasp the immeasurable greatness of God’s power—the very power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:19–20). This resurrection power proves that Christ reigns supreme, far above all rule and authority. All things have been placed under His feet, and He has been given as head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22–23). In Christ’s resurrection, the grand plan of redemption has been set in motion, and the church stands as the firstfruits of God’s cosmic renewal.

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 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:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The relationship between faith and works is often distorted. Many assume that salvation must be earned through good deeds, as though heaven were a reward for human effort. But that belief undermines the very nature of grace. If salvation could be earned, it would cease to be a gift (Romans 11:6). The truth of the gospel, as Paul proclaims, is that we are saved by grace through faith—and that not of ourselves—it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8–9). Once we are saved, however, we are made new in Christ—God’s workmanship—created for good works that He prepared beforehand for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Good works do not produce salvation; they are the evidence of it. They are not the path to salvation but the fruit of a life transformed by grace.