Ephesians 2:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} by grace {G5485} are ye {G2075} saved {G4982} through {G1223} faith {G4102}; and {G2532} that {G5124} not {G3756} of {G1537} yourselves {G5216}: it is the gift {G1435} of God {G2316}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift.

Berean Standard Bible

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

American Standard Version

for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 2:8 stands as a theological cornerstone, succinctly articulating the profound truth of salvation. It declares that humanity's deliverance from sin and reconciliation with God is not achieved through personal merit or human effort, but is an entirely unearned, gracious act originating from God, received solely through the instrument of faith. This verse underscores God's sovereign initiative and boundless generosity in the redemptive process, removing any basis for human boasting and establishing salvation as a divine gift.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 2:8 is embedded within Paul's foundational teaching on salvation and the new identity of believers in Christ. The preceding verses ([Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Humanity's Former State")) vividly describe humanity's former spiritual deadness, enslaved by sin and subject to divine wrath. Paul then introduces a radical shift, highlighting God's immense love and mercy that "made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Mercy and Love")). Verse 8 functions as a powerful summary of this divine intervention, immediately followed by the crucial clarification in [Ephesians 2:9](/ephesians/2-9 "Ephesians 2:9 - Salvation Not by Works") that salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast." This flow emphasizes the stark contrast between humanity's inability and God's sovereign, gracious provision, setting the stage for the purpose of salvation in [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Ephesians was written to a diverse church in a prominent Roman city, known for its temple to Artemis (Diana) and a blend of Greek, Roman, and Asian religious and philosophical influences. The cultural milieu often emphasized human achievement, philosophical wisdom, and adherence to various religious rituals or laws as pathways to divine favor or enlightenment. Within Judaism, a strong emphasis on the Mosaic Law and good works often led to a perception of earning righteousness. Paul's emphatic declaration that salvation is "not of yourselves" directly confronts these prevailing notions, whether pagan or Jewish, by asserting that God's grace, not human performance or lineage, is the sole basis for salvation. This message would have been revolutionary, challenging deeply ingrained ideas about how one attains spiritual standing.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological themes prevalent throughout Ephesians and Paul's broader theology. The overarching theme of **God's Grace** is paramount, emphasizing His unmerited favor as the source of salvation, a concept foundational to the gospel message. Closely linked is the theme of **Salvation by Faith Alone**, which highlights faith as the instrumental means of receiving this divine gift, distinguishing it from works or human merit. The verse also reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, portraying God as the primary actor in redemption, in stark contrast to human inability or self-sufficiency, as detailed in [Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Spiritual Death"). Finally, it lays the groundwork for the theme of **Humility and the Rejection of Boasting**, as the gift-nature of salvation removes any grounds for human pride, a point further elaborated in [Ephesians 2:9](/ephesians/2-9 "Ephesians 2:9 - No Boasting").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** From G5485, this term signifies graciousness, kindness, or favor, particularly the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in life. In the context of salvation, it refers to God's unmerited, undeserved favor and benevolence extended to humanity, completely independent of any human worth or effort. It is the benevolent disposition and act of God toward sinners.
* **saved (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** From G4982, this word means to deliver, protect, heal, or make whole. Here, it is used in the perfect passive participle form ("are ye saved"), indicating a completed action by an external agent (God) with ongoing, lasting results. It denotes deliverance from the penalty and power of sin, reconciliation with God, and the bestowal of eternal life.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From G4102, this term denotes persuasion, credence, or moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It is not a work or a human achievement, but rather the humble, trusting reception of God's gracious provision. It is the instrument through which the gift of salvation is apprehended.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For by grace are ye saved through faith":** This opening clause establishes the dual means of salvation. "Grace" is the ultimate source and cause of salvation, highlighting God's unmerited favor. "Through faith" specifies the instrumental means by which this salvation is received by individuals. The verb "are ye saved" (perfect passive participle) emphasizes that salvation is a completed work performed by God upon the believer, with lasting effects.
* **"and that not of yourselves":** This emphatic negation clarifies the origin of salvation. The pronoun "that" refers to the entire concept of "being saved through faith," asserting that neither the grace nor the faith (as a meritorious act) originates from human ability, will, or effort. It unequivocally rules out any human contribution to the redemptive process, underscoring its divine source.
* **"[it is] the gift of God":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful summary and confirmation. By explicitly calling salvation a "gift," Paul reinforces its nature as something freely given, unearned, and undeserved. This reiterates that salvation is solely an act of divine benevolence, removing any grounds for human boasting or self-righteousness and highlighting God's generosity.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his profound theological message in this concise verse. The primary device is **Emphasis** through repetition and negation. The phrase "not of yourselves" followed by "the gift of God" serves to emphatically underscore that salvation is entirely God's work, leaving no room for human contribution or pride. This creates a powerful **Contrast** between human inability and divine omnipotence and generosity. The concept of salvation as a **Gift** is a powerful **Metaphor**, illustrating that it is freely bestowed and cannot be earned or purchased, much like a physical present. This metaphor immediately evokes gratitude and removes any sense of obligation or merit on the part of the recipient.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 2:8 is a quintessential expression of the Protestant doctrine of *sola gratia* (grace alone) and *sola fide* (faith alone), asserting that salvation is entirely God's unmerited favor received through trusting belief, not human works. This truth liberates believers from the burden of earning righteousness and grounds their assurance in God's faithfulness rather than their own performance. It highlights God's sovereignty in salvation, demonstrating His initiative and power to redeem a humanity that is spiritually dead and incapable of saving itself. This foundational principle informs Christian theology, worship, and evangelism, emphasizing the accessibility of salvation to all who believe.

* [Romans 3:24](/romans/3-24 "Romans 3:24 - Justified Freely by Grace")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved Not by Works")
* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Saving Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 2:8 offers profound comfort and clarity to the believer, while simultaneously dismantling any human pride in salvation. Understanding that salvation is a pure gift, not earned by our efforts, liberates us from the exhausting cycle of trying to prove ourselves worthy before God. This truth cultivates deep humility and immense gratitude, prompting us to live lives of worship and service not *for* salvation, but *from* salvation. It transforms our motivation for good works from a desperate attempt to gain favor into a joyful response to God's overwhelming love. This verse is a constant reminder that our security and hope rest entirely on God's finished work, not on our fluctuating performance, fostering a profound sense of peace and assurance in our relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that salvation is "not of yourselves" challenge any tendencies you might have to rely on your own efforts or achievements for spiritual standing?**
* **In what ways does understanding salvation as "the gift of God" deepen your gratitude and assurance in your relationship with Him?**
* **If salvation is by grace through faith, and not by works, how should this truth motivate your daily actions and service to God?**

### FAQ
**Is faith itself a work that earns salvation?**

Answer: No, according to Ephesians 2:8-9, faith is explicitly distinguished from "works." While faith is an action of the human heart (trusting, believing), it is the *means* by which God's gift of salvation is received, not the *merit* by which it is earned. The phrase "and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" applies to the entire concept of "being saved through faith," indicating that even the capacity to believe is a divine enablement, not a human achievement. Faith is the empty hand that receives the gift, not the payment for it.

**What does "not of yourselves" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "not of yourselves" emphatically negates any human origin or contribution to salvation. It means salvation does not come from human effort, merit, wisdom, strength, good deeds, religious rituals, or even the act of faith itself as a meritorious work. It underscores that humanity, in its fallen state, is spiritually dead ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")) and utterly incapable of initiating or achieving its own redemption. This phrase highlights the complete and utter dependence on God's initiative and provision for salvation.

**Why is it so important that salvation is called "the gift of God"?**

Answer: Calling salvation "the gift of God" is crucial because it reinforces its nature as something freely given, unearned, and undeserved. A gift cannot be bought or earned; it can only be received. This truth removes all grounds for human boasting or pride ([Ephesians 2:9](/ephesians/2-9 "Ephesians 2:9 - No Boasting")), ensuring that all glory for salvation belongs to God alone. It also provides immense assurance to believers, as the security of their salvation rests on the Giver's unchanging character and generosity, not on their own fluctuating performance or worthiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 2:8, while not explicitly naming Jesus, is profoundly Christ-centered in its implications, as the grace and gift of salvation are made possible *through* Christ's redemptive work. The "grace" spoken of here is God's favor poured out through His Son, Jesus Christ, who "humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). It is through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection that humanity, once "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")), can be "made alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive with Christ")). He is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the ultimate expression of God's unmerited favor. The "faith" by which we are saved is specifically faith *in Him*, recognizing Him as the sole provision for sin and the only way to the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). Thus, the "gift of God" is ultimately the gift of salvation found exclusively in Jesus Christ, the one "in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 3:22

Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:26

To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:5

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

Romans 4:16

Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.