Ephesians 2:10 kjv

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

Ephesians 2:10 nkjv

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 niv

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 esv

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 nlt

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 10 Meaning

Ephesians 2:10 succinctly declares that believers are God's deliberate, skillful creation, transformed and brought into being anew "in Christ Jesus." The ultimate purpose of this divine "workmanship" is to engage in "good works," which are not a means to salvation but its divinely ordained fruit and expression. God meticulously prepared these good works for believers before they were even carried out, so that they might live their lives continuously demonstrating them.

Ephesians 2 10 Context

Ephesians 2:10 is a pivotal verse that directly follows and clarifies Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphatically states that salvation is by grace through faith, and "not of works, lest anyone should boast." Verse 10 acts as a crucial complement, dispelling any misconception that salvation by grace leads to passive inaction or disregard for ethical living. Instead, it redefines the role of good works within the life of a believer: they are the result and evidence of salvation, not its prerequisite.

In the broader context of Ephesians, chapters 1-3 lay the theological foundation of God's redemptive plan, the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ, and the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers. Chapters 4-6 then pivot to the practical implications, detailing how believers are to "walk" in a manner worthy of their calling. Thus, Ephesians 2:10 serves as a bridge, grounding ethical living (good works) firmly in theological truth (God's grace and sovereign design). Historically and culturally, Paul was likely countering both Jewish legalism (the belief in earning favor through adherence to the Law) and various pagan philosophies that might have either dismissed ethical living or divorced it from divine purpose, emphasizing that believers are uniquely purposed by God Himself.

Ephesians 2 10 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction that explains and provides a reason for the preceding statements, specifically linking the absence of works in salvation (v. 8-9) with the presence of works as a result of salvation (v. 10).
• we (ἡμεῖς - hemeis): Refers to all believers, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles, united in Christ, highlighting their corporate identity.
• are (ἐσμέν - esmen): Present tense indicative verb, asserting a continuous, existing reality and identity of believers.
• His (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun referring to God, indicating divine ownership and authorship.
• workmanship (ποίημα - poiēma): This Greek word is where "poem" derives. It means "a thing made," "a handiwork," "a masterpiece," or "a creation." It emphasizes that believers are not accidental or self-made, but God's skillfully crafted product, infused with His design and purpose.
• created (κτισθέντες - ktisthentes): An aorist passive participle, indicating a decisive past action performed upon believers by an outside agent (God). It signifies a new spiritual creation, a radical transformation akin to the original act of creation.
• in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ - en Christō Iēsou): This phrase denotes the sphere, instrument, and profound spiritual union within which this new creation takes place. Union with Christ is the means by which believers are remade and empowered.
• for (ἐπὶ - epi): Here, used with the dative, it signifies purpose, goal, or aim. It answers the question, "For what reason were we created anew?"
• good works (ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς - ergois agathois): Not merely ethical actions, but deeds that are intrinsically good, morally upright, beneficial, and pleasing to God. This contrasts with works done for self-righteousness or human approval.
• which (οἷς - hois): A relative pronoun referring back to "good works," linking them to what follows.
• God (ὁ Θεός - ho Theos): The sovereign actor, emphasizing divine initiation and planning.
• prepared beforehand (προητοίμασεν - proētoimasen): A compound verb (pro - "before," hetoimazō - "to prepare"). It signifies divine foreordination, pre-arrangement, or pre-destining. It means God specifically planned these particular good works for each believer before they ever began.
• that we should walk (ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν - hina en autois peripatēsōmen): "Hina" indicates purpose. "Peripatēsōmen" (from peripatēo) is "to walk," a common biblical metaphor for one's way of life, conduct, or daily living. It implies a continuous, habitual way of existence and ongoing participation in the pre-ordained path.
• in them (ἐν αὐτοῖς - en autois): Refers to the good works. Believers are to live within or in the midst of these pre-prepared works.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For we are His workmanship": Establishes the new identity of believers as divinely created. This is foundational; our very being is now God's unique and intentional design, distinct from our former state.
• "created in Christ Jesus": Pinpoints the precise method and location of this new creation. It's not a self-improvement project, but a radical transformation that occurs solely through union with Christ. This implies a new birth, a spiritual re-genesis.
• "for good works": Declares the purpose of this new creation. Salvation by grace does not lead to inaction but to purposeful living; the "why" of our existence as new creations.
• "which God prepared beforehand": Reveals God's divine sovereignty and meticulous planning. These "good works" are not accidental or merely human initiatives; they are part of God's prior design for each believer's life. It takes away the burden of having to invent good works and focuses on discovering and walking in what God has already prepared.
• "that we should walk in them": Explains the manner and ongoing nature of this purpose. "To walk" denotes a continuous lifestyle, not just isolated acts. It is the practical outworking and manifestation of one's new identity in Christ, engaging daily in the life God purposed.

Ephesians 2 10 Bonus section

• The term poiēma ("workmanship") used here for believers is particularly rich, signifying that God sees us as His skilled creation, much like an artist views their unique work. This implies beauty, intentionality, and ultimate value in God's eyes for His transformed children.
• The phrase "in Christ Jesus" is a fundamental theological concept in Pauline epistles, appearing over 200 times. It speaks to a mystical yet real spiritual union, identity, and standing. Our new creation and purpose are entirely contingent upon and experienced within this vital union.
• The "walk" metaphor is prevalent in Ephesians, consistently emphasizing a practical, daily conduct that corresponds to a believer's spiritual truth. This continuous action stands in contrast to merely intellectual assent or sporadic good deeds. It highlights that God's purpose for good works is a lifestyle, not just isolated incidents.
• Ephesians 2:10 is a powerful counter to antinomianism (the idea that because we are under grace, the law/moral living does not apply) by establishing an inescapable purpose for redeemed life—not to be "free from works" but "free for good works."

Ephesians 2 10 Commentary

Ephesians 2:10 masterfully reconciles the doctrine of salvation by grace (vv. 8-9) with the imperative of good living. It prevents any misinterpretation of grace as an excuse for apathy or license. Instead, it powerfully affirms that grace leads to active, purposeful living. Our very existence as believers is a divine masterpiece (poiēma), not self-made, but intricately crafted by God for a specific and glorious end.

This verse teaches that good works are neither the root nor the cause of salvation but its inevitable, supernatural fruit. They flow out of a transformed heart, enabled by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, it emphasizes God's sovereignty, not just in saving us, but in designing the path of our service. The "good works" are not randomly discovered by us, but are meticulously "prepared beforehand" by God Himself. This removes the burden of striving to earn God's favor and replaces it with the joy of discovering and fulfilling His pre-designed purpose. "Walking in them" means to consistently live out this divinely ordered life, allowing our actions to bear witness to God's redemptive power and bringing glory to Him.

Practical examples include: a Christian showing love and patience to a difficult neighbor (a work prepared by God), choosing integrity in business dealings (walking in prepared paths), or using spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ (living out divine purpose) – all motivated by gratitude for salvation, not as a means to achieve it.