Not of works, lest any man should boast.
What does Ephesians 2:9 mean?
Sin is the death of the soul. A man dead in trespasses and sins has no desire for spiritual pleasures.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Ephesians 2:6-10 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ephesians 2:9
Of any kind, moral or ceremonial, before or after conversion, done without faith or in it, nor of these in any sense; works are neither the moving causes, nor the procuring causes, nor the helping causes, nor "causa sine qua non", or conditions of salvation; the best works that are done by men, are not done of themselves, but by the grace of God, and therefore can never merit at his hand: and salvation is put upon such a foot, lest any man should boast; of his works before God, and unto men; wherefore he has denied works any place in justification and salvation, in order to exclude all boasting in man; and has fixed it in a way of grace, and has chosen and called poor sinful worthless creatures to enjoy it, that whoever glories, may glory in the Lord.
Context in Ephesians 2
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Ephesians 2 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as blessing and new identity in Christ. Ephesians presents the church as Christ’s body and temple, chosen in grace, united across dividing walls, and called to mature holy life. Read this chapter with the wider themes of union with Christ, church, and grace in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.