Ephesians Chapter 2 Salvation and Faith
Ephesians 2:8 presents a foundational statement on salvation: "Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God" [1]. This verse encapsulates a core tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing that salvation is a divine gift rather than a human achievement [8].
The chapter begins by describing the prior state of those who receive this salvation, characterizing them as "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) [3]. This condition is further elaborated as following "the course of this world" and being influenced by "the prince of the power of the air" [4]. Salvation, therefore, represents a radical transformation from this state of spiritual death [6, 7].
The means of this salvation is explicitly stated as "through faith" [1, 5]. Faith, in a general sense, is understood as the persuasion that a statement is true, with its primary idea being trust [2]. It involves both knowledge and assent [2]. In the context of salvation, this faith is directed towards Christ as the sole meritorious agent [5, 8]. The apostle Paul frequently addresses this doctrine, as seen in Ephesians 2:8, to highlight that salvation is not a result of human works or merit [8, 9].
The passage also clarifies that this faith itself is not self-generated but is "given by God" [1]. This phrase, "and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God," underscores the divine initiative in salvation, preventing any human boasting [8]. The Augsburg Confession highlights this verse as central to the doctrine that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works [9].
The outcome of this grace-through-faith salvation is not merely forgiveness but also a new creation "unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10) [6]. These good works are not the cause of salvation but its intended result, prepared beforehand by God [6]. This understanding contrasts with any notion that salvation is earned through human effort or deeds [8]. The emphasis remains on God's "exceeding riches of His grace in kindness" [5].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 2:8 (BBE) — Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:1 cross-references: Matthew 8:22, Luke 15:24, Luke 15:32, John 5:21, John 5:25, John 10:10, John 11:25, John 14:6, Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 4:18, Ephesians 5:14, Colossians 2:13, Colossians 3:1, 1 Timothy 5:6, 1 John 3:14, Revelation 3:1”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:2 cross-references: Leviticus 11:16, Job 1:7, Job 1:16, Job 1:19, Job 31:7, Psalms 17:14, Isaiah 30:1, Isaiah 57:4, Jeremiah 23:10, Hosea 10:9, Matthew 11:19, Matthew 12:43, Matthew 13:38, Luke 11:21, Luke 16:8, Luke 22:2, Luke 22:31, John 7:7, John 8:23, John 8:44, John 12:31, John 13:2, John 13:27, John 14:30, John 15:19, John 16:11, Acts 5:3, Acts 19:35, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 5:6, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:21, Colossians 3:6, 2 Timothy 4:10, James 1:7, James 4:4, 1 Peter ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:8: For--illustrating "the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness." Translate as in Eph 2:5, "Ye are in a saved state." through faith--the effect of the power of Christ's resurrection (Eph 1:19-20; Phi 3:10) whereby we are "raised together" with Him (Eph 2:6; Col 2:12). Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "through your (literally, 'the') faith." The instrument or mean of salvation on the part of the person saved; Christ alone is the meritorious agent. and that--namely, the act of believing, or "faith." "Of yourselves" stands in opposition to, "it”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 2 (introduction): The character of the Ephesians previously to their conversion to Christianity, Eph 2:1-3. By what virtue they were changed, and for what purpose, Eph 2:4-7. They were saved by faith, Eph 2:8, Eph 2:9. And created unto good works, Eph 2:10. The apostle enters into the particulars of their former miserable state, Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12. And those of their present happy state, Eph 2:13. Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles, and proclaims reconciliation to both, Eph 2:14-17. The glorious privileges of genuine belie”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS 2 The design of the apostle in this chapter, is to magnify the riches of divine grace, in the effectual calling and salvation of sinners, by Christ Jesus; in order to which, he describes the sad estate they are in by nature, and before conversion, even God's elect among the Jews, and especially among the Gentiles; and then observes how peace is made for and between them both, by Christ the peacemaker; and the various privileges and blessings which both enjoy, in consequence of it: he begins with the Ephesians, and expresses t”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:8: 2:8-9 This is a concise summary of how a person is saved. It is a cardinal tenet of the Good News that people are made righteous through trust in Christ rather than through their own merit (see Rom 1:16-17; 3:24-25; Gal 2:16; cp. John 3:16, 36). Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done (see Rom 3:21–4:8; 9:16; Gal 3:2-10; 5:1-6; cp. 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is for those who trust Christ alone to save them. As a result, none of us can boast about it (cp. Rom 3:27; 4:2; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Gal 6:14).”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 11 This doctrine concerning faith is everywhere treated by Paul,: 11 This doctrine concerning faith is everywhere treated by Paul, Eph. 2:8: By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, etc.”