“We are saved by Grace, through Faith”

An Overview of Ephesians

By Joe Guagliardo

Ephesians 2:1-10

“We are saved by Grace through faith.”

August 3, 2023

Most of us have a dislike for people who brag. Here’s how the Oxford Dictionary defines the word:

To say something in a boastful manner.

“they were bragging about how easy it had been”

(https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/)

It’s interesting that the definition of brag uses the word boastful as an example of bragging. You’ll notice in the bible verse above, Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul uses the word boast.

“So that no one can boast.”

Paul tells us distinctly that boasting is wrong, yet people do it all the time. Perhaps that’s why Paul says so firmly that we are saved by the Grace of God through Jesus Christ. You and I have nothing to boast about because saving has nothing to do with anything we did or will do.

Let’s take a look at the entire passage in context to get a better understanding of God’s Grace.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the Spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh (2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were, by nature, deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by Grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his Grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:1-10

Paul lays out the negatives in the first three verses of this passage. He tells us why we need Jesus.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the Spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh (2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”

You’ll notice I let the N.I.V. Bible’s explanation of flesh in verse 2:3. It’s important to understand that when Paul talks about “The cravings of the flesh,” He’s not just speaking about sex. Paul is talking about our human condition. We are lost without the Grace of God, the love of Christ, and our ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Every last one of us is dead to sin without God.

The next verse is relatively self-explanatory.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Do you understand what I’m saying here? Paul lays out his case so simply. Because of God’s love, He sent His Son Jesus, so our sins would be wiped away. It almost seems too simple for you and me, doesn’t it? But for Jesus, it meant a life that ended in a miserable death, to the point where His own Father (God) turned His back on Him because He was disgusted by the sin Jesus took on from us.

This brings us to the opening passage, Ephesians 2:8-9, that I spoke of in the introduction.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Let’s clear something up before I end today’s devotion. B.G.T.F., By Grace through Faith. This is how we are saved from our sins. Our gift of Grace comes freely from God. We have nothing to do with it at all. That’s why we have no right to boast about our newfound freedom from sin. We simply believe.

Finally, Paul states:

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

Doing good works does not save us. We don’t get shiny stars on a chart or a checkmark next to our names for a job well done.

“We’re simply being given the opportunity to do good things. ‘Which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

(People’s Bible Commentary, Ephesians, Pp. 151)

You and I are so blessed. God gives us freedom from sin through His amazing Grace. We respond very simply out of love and because we want to share the Good News with others. We do good works because it’s what God wants us to do. He saved us through His Son, Jesus.

Spreading the Good News and doing good works is a privilege so all may know how loving our God is.