Ephesians 2:9 kjv
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:9 nkjv
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:9 niv
not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:9 esv
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:9 nlt
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Ephesians 2 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 3:20 | For by works of the law no human being will be justified... | Works of Law don't justify |
| Rom 3:23-24 | for all have sinned... are justified freely by His grace... | Sin universal, justification by grace |
| Rom 3:27-28 | Where then is boasting? It is excluded... justified by faith apart from works of the law. | Boasting excluded, faith apart from works |
| Rom 4:2 | For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. | Abraham's justification, no boasting before God |
| Rom 4:4-5 | Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work... his faith is counted as righteousness. | Salvation not wage, faith for righteousness |
| Rom 11:6 | But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. | Grace and works are mutually exclusive |
| Gal 2:16 | we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ... | Justification by faith, not law works |
| Gal 3:11 | Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” | No one justified by Law, but by faith |
| Phil 3:9 | and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ... | Righteousness from faith, not self-effort |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy... | Saved by mercy, not righteous works |
| Isa 64:6 | We are all like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. | Righteous deeds as filthy rags |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Let not the wise man boast... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me... | Boasting in knowing God, not self-wisdom |
| 1 Cor 1:29-31 | so that no human being might boast in the presence of God... that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” | Boasting in God, not in human ability |
| Acts 15:11 | But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. | Salvation through Lord Jesus' grace |
| Hab 2:4 | Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. | Righteous live by faith, not self-puffed |
| Ps 115:1 | Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory... | Give glory to God's name, not ourselves |
| Matt 19:26 | With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. | Salvation impossible with man, possible with God |
| John 1:12-13 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood... nor of the will of man, but of God. | Birth as God's children by His will, not human |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace... | Called by purpose and grace, not works |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, being rich in mercy... even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— | Salvation originates from God's mercy and grace |
Ephesians 2 verses
Ephesians 2 9 Meaning
Ephesians 2:9 succinctly states that salvation is not a product of human actions or efforts, but rather a gratuitous divine gift. It serves to eliminate any possibility of human boasting or self-glory, emphasizing that salvation originates solely from God's benevolence, ensuring that no individual can claim personal merit or credit for their redemption.
Ephesians 2 9 Context
Ephesians 2:9 is the concluding part of a powerful statement about the nature of salvation. It follows Ephesians 2:8, which unequivocally declares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Verse 9 then acts as the direct, logical consequence and negative correlative: "not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
The broader chapter 2 contrasts humanity's former spiritual death (vv. 1-3) with their new life in Christ (vv. 4-7), highlighting that this transformation is entirely God's gracious act. It establishes that both Gentiles and Jews are saved on the same basis—by God's grace through faith, thereby dismantling human pride and prejudice (vv. 11-22). Historically and culturally, Paul was confronting prevalent ideas: Jewish legalism, which emphasized adherence to the Mosaic Law and good deeds as a path to righteousness; and Gentile paganism, where individuals sought to appease deities through elaborate rituals, sacrifices, or ascetic practices. Paul's polemic directly counters these "works-based" salvation systems, asserting that no human effort or religious performance can earn divine favor or salvation. It removes any human agency from the source of salvation, redirecting all glory to God alone.
Ephesians 2 9 Word analysis
- Not (οὐκ, ouk): A strong negation. It directly refutes any human contribution to salvation. It establishes an absolute boundary, excluding works definitively as a basis for salvation.
- a result of (ἐξ ἔργων, ex ergōn):
- ἐξ (ex): From, out of, implying source or origin. This indicates that works are not the source from which salvation originates.
- ἔργων (ergōn): Plural of ergon, meaning 'works', 'deeds', 'actions'. In biblical theology, particularly Pauline epistles, "works" often refers to deeds performed to earn merit or fulfill religious law. Here, it refers to any human performance, effort, or religious observance, whether ethical, ceremonial, or personal. The phrase emphatically denies that salvation springs from such efforts.
- works (ergōn): While good works are the fruit of salvation (Eph 2:10), they are never the root or cause of it. This distinction is crucial for understanding the biblical emphasis on grace. This stands in direct contrast to human inclinations to prove worth.
- so that (ἵνα, hina): A purpose clause, clearly stating God's specific intention or goal. The exclusion of boasting is not an accidental byproduct but a divine design. This word reveals God's meticulous plan for redemption.
- no one (μή τις, mē tis): An indefinite pronoun used in negative commands/purpose clauses, meaning "no one," "no one whatever," "not anyone." It makes the exclusion of boasting universal and absolute for all humanity. This covers every possible human being, irrespective of their background or achievements.
- may boast (καυχήσηται, kauchēsētai): Aorist subjunctive of kauchaomai, meaning to boast, brag, glory in oneself. The subjunctive mood indicates the purpose or desired outcome. The primary goal is to strip humanity of any claim to self-righteousness or credit in their salvation, reserving all glory for God. This includes boasting in lineage, religious performance, wisdom, strength, or wealth.
- Not a result of works, so that no one may boast: This entire phrase group encapsulates the divine economy of salvation, where grace reigns supreme to nullify human pride. It positions salvation entirely as a gift, ensuring humble gratitude rather than self-congratulation. It sets the stage for a relationship where God receives all the glory.
Ephesians 2 9 Bonus section
The truth of Ephesians 2:9 provides crucial theological guardrails:
- Distinguishing between Cause and Effect: It clearly delineates that works are never the cause of salvation but are the evidence or fruit of salvation (as taught in Eph 2:10). This prevents both legalism (earning salvation) and antinomianism (disregarding moral living after salvation).
- Humility in Discipleship: It fosters profound humility. Believers recognize their utter dependence on God for everything, promoting a heart of gratitude rather than entitlement.
- Assurance: It provides true assurance. If salvation depended on works, no one could ever be certain, as human effort is imperfect and variable. Because it's God's gift, its security rests on His unwavering faithfulness, not human performance.
- The Nature of God: This verse highlights God's character as gracious, merciful, and sovereign, receiving all glory. It underscores His desire to save not based on human merit, which would create an imbalance in the God-human relationship.
Ephesians 2 9 Commentary
Ephesians 2:9 serves as a crucial theological anchor, directly answering the 'how' and 'why not' of salvation detailed in the preceding verse. Having declared that "by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8), verse 9 underscores the definitive exclusion of works as the means to obtain salvation. The strong negation "not a result of works" eliminates all human effort, religious observance, moral accomplishment, or meritorious deeds as a basis for redemption. God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, orchestrated salvation in such a way "so that no one may boast." This divine design is not merely an afterthought but a central purpose, ensuring that human pride, self-righteousness, and the tendency to claim credit are entirely nullified. When salvation is understood as a pure gift, freely given by God's grace, there is no room for human beings to commend themselves or elevate their status before Him. All glory, therefore, must inherently be directed towards the Giver, God alone. This theological truth liberates individuals from the burdensome treadmill of earning God's favor and secures true humility and worship.