Or does verse 9 merely exclude from saving efficacy ‘ceremonial works’ or ‘Jewish boundary markers’? So are we saved by ‘good works’ after all?įurthermore, in Ephesians, Paul doesn’t use the ‘justify’ words at all-although Protestants often assume it does. Some limit the non-saving ‘works’ to ‘pre-baptismal’ ones, but then say that ‘post-baptismal’ works actually do save us. So are ‘works’ (v9) the same as ‘good works’ (v10)? Are the works we are saved for different from those we are not saved by? Many say ‘yes’. For example, verse 9 doesn’t say ‘good works’ but ‘works’-the adjective ‘good’ is only found in verse 10. ’ Was this the death knell to my beloved understanding of Ephesians 2:8-10? Other Questionsįurther reflection yielded other questions. My Greek textbook declared, ‘On a grammatical level, then, it is doubtful that either “faith” or “grace” is the antecedent of. For my naive view to stand, they should agree-but they don’t. Reading commentaries and learning Greek revealed that-in technical language-the demonstrative translated ‘this’ (v8) is neuter, but the noun for ‘faith’ is ‘feminine’. However, I came to discover with surprise and disappointment that many didn’t understand these verses ‘my’ way. Through faith alone I look for finding some mercy in the day of the Lord’s appearing.’ A Disconcerting Surprise As Theodoret said, ‘I own myself wretched-aye, thrice wretched. Even now, I continually return to this beautiful simplicity, because I’ve never graduated beyond my debt to grace, no matter what I think I’ve achieved.
#Faith to faith free
This little passage became the reason to find a Protestant church, go to beach mission, and arrogantly share the gospel of free grace. God predestined the good works that he has now given me to do. God even gave me the faith that joins me up to Jesus. I discovered that I’m saved, not by good works, but for good works. I realised that my acceptance before God at the judgement is not based on my goodness or moral effort, but on God’s goodness and Jesus’ moral effort. We opened the Bible, and in that hut at Kensington, I got God’s grace.
Then at university an MTS worker did Just For Starters with me. I grew up Roman Catholic, wondering how I could be good enough for God. Indeed, the current de-emphasis on this in some circles blunts the cutting edge of the gospel. The paradigm ‘Not Saved By Works But For Works’ is a vital component of the excellent ‘Christianity Explained’ course, and rests on this passage. Many of us have put together the puzzle of ‘grace’, ‘faith’ and ‘works’ from Ephesians 2:8-10. It’s a key passage in the popular Just For Starters: Seven Basic Bible Studies. Ryle was converted simply by hearing it read in church. Reformed Evangelicals love this passage, using it to explain what sits at the heart of the gospel-the relationship between grace, faith, and works in salvation.
Ryle was converted simply by hearing it read in church.Įphesians 2:8-10 is well-known as Paul’s doctrine of salvation in miniature. Reformed Evangelicals love this passage … J.C. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that in them we might walk.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves, the gift of God, not from works, so that no-one may boast.
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