Ephesians 2:8
New International Version
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

New Living Translation
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

English Standard Version
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

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,

Berean Literal Bible
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

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

New King James Version
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

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

NASB 1995
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

NASB 1977
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

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

Amplified Bible
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;

Christian Standard Bible
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

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

Contemporary English Version
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God.

International Standard Version
For by such grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God

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

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

New Heart English Bible
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Webster's Bible Translation
For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Weymouth New Testament
For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is God's gift, and is not on the ground of merit--

World English Bible
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for by grace you are saved, through faith, and this [is] not of yourselves—[it is] the gift of God,

Berean Literal Bible
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Young's Literal Translation
for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift,

Smith's Literal Translation
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and this not of you: the gift of God:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God;

Catholic Public Domain Version
For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not of yourselves, for it is a gift of God.

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

New Revised Standard Version
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For it is by grace that you are saved through faith; not of your doing: it is the gift of God:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For it is by his grace that we have been saved through faith, and this faith was not from you, but it is the gift of God,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For by grace you have been saved through the faith; and this matter is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:

Godbey New Testament
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Haweis New Testament
For by grace ye are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:

Mace New Testament
for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us:

Weymouth New Testament
For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is God's gift, and is not on the ground of merit--

Worrell New Testament
For by grace ye have been saved through faith: and this, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God:

Worsley New Testament
For by grace ye are saved, through faith: and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not by works, that no one may boast:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Alive with Christ
7in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.…

Cross References
Romans 3:24
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, / through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Titus 3:5-7
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. / This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, / so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 3:11
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

John 1:12-13
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. / Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Acts 15:11
On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

Colossians 2:13-14
When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, / having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

1 Peter 1:5
who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.


Treasury of Scripture

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

by.

Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

2 Thessalonians 1:9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

through.

Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

John 3:14-18,36
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: …

that.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 1:19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

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Faith Gift God's Grace Ground Merit Salvation Saved Yourselves
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Faith Gift God's Grace Ground Merit Salvation Saved Yourselves
Ephesians 2
1. By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,
10. he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ,
19. should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God.














For it is by grace you have been saved
This phrase emphasizes the unmerited favor of God as the basis for salvation. Grace, in the biblical context, refers to God's kindness and love extended to humanity, despite their sinfulness. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament, where God's grace is evident in His covenant with Israel (Exodus 34:6-7). The New Testament further reveals this grace through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's grace (John 1:14). Salvation by grace underscores that human efforts or works cannot achieve redemption; it is solely a divine act.

through faith
Faith is the means by which individuals receive God's grace. It involves trust and reliance on Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust in God's promises. The Apostle Paul, who authored Ephesians, often contrasts faith with works, emphasizing that faith is the channel through which grace is received (Romans 3:28).

and this not from yourselves;
This phrase highlights that salvation is not a result of human effort or merit. It counters any notion of self-reliance or self-righteousness. In the cultural context of Ephesus, where various religious practices and philosophies promoted self-improvement and works-based righteousness, this statement would have been countercultural. It aligns with Paul's broader theological argument that human boasting is excluded in the economy of salvation (1 Corinthians 1:29).

it is the gift of God,
Salvation is described as a gift, emphasizing its gratuitous nature. A gift, by definition, is something given freely, not earned or deserved. This concept is central to the Christian understanding of God's love and generosity. The idea of a divine gift is echoed in other scriptures, such as Romans 6:23, which contrasts the wages of sin with the gift of eternal life. This gift is ultimately realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate expression of God's love and grace to humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor where the early church was established. It was known for its diverse population and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

3. The Ephesian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, this early Christian community faced challenges from both pagan influences and internal doctrinal issues.
Teaching Points
Grace as a Divine Gift
Salvation is not something we can earn; it is a gift from God. The Greek word for "grace" (charis) implies favor and kindness that is undeserved.

Faith as the Means of Receiving Grace
Faith is the channel through which we receive God's grace. The Greek term for "faith" (pistis) suggests trust and reliance on God.

Humility in Salvation
Recognizing that salvation is not from ourselves fosters humility. We are reminded that our efforts are insufficient without God's intervention.

The Assurance of Salvation
Understanding salvation as a gift provides assurance and security in our relationship with God, knowing it is not dependent on our fluctuating efforts.

Living in Response to Grace
Our response to receiving grace should be a life of gratitude and obedience, reflecting the transformative power of God's gift.(1 b.) Ephesians 2:8-10 (taking up and working out the parenthetical "by grace ye are saved" of Ephesians 2:5) form an instructive link of connection between these Epistles and those of the earlier group, especially the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans. (Comp. Philippians 3:9.) In both there is the same doctrine of "Justification by Faith," the same denial of the merit of good works, the same connection of good works with the grace of God in us. But what is there anxiously and passionately contended for, is here briefly summarised, and calmly assumed as a thing known and allowed. Even the technical phrases--the word "justification," and the declaration of the nullity of "the Law"--are no longer used.

(8) By grace are ye saved through faith.--Properly, ye have been saved; ye were saved at first, and continue in a state of salvation. In Ephesians 2:5 this thought is introduced parenthetically, naturally and irresistibly suggested by the declaration of the various steps of regeneration in Christ. St. Paul now returns to it and works it out, before passing on, in Ephesians 2:11, to draw out by "wherefore" the conclusion from Ephesians 2:1-7. Remembering how the Epistles were written from dictation, we may be inclined to see in this passage among others, an insertion made by the Apostle, on a revision of that already written. . . .

Verse 8. - For by grace have ye been saved, through faith. He repeats what he had said parenthetically (ver. 5), in order to open the subject up more fully. On the part of God, salvation is by grace; on the part of man, it is through faith. It does not come to us by an involuntary act, as light falls on our eyes, sounds on our ears, or air enters our lungs. When we are so far enlightened as to understand about it, there must be a personal reception of salvation by us, and that is by faith. Faith at once believes the good news of a free salvation through Christ, and accepts Christ as the Savior. We commit ourselves to him, trust ourselves to him for that salvation of which he is the Author. In the act of thus entrusting ourselves to him for his salvation, we receive the benefit, and are saved. It is not that faith is accepted by God in place of works, but because faith indicates that attitude of men towards Christ in which it pleases God to save them, transferring to him all their guilt, imputing to them all his merit. And that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Which of the two things is meant - salvation or faith? The grammatical structure and the analogy of the passage favor the former view, "Your salvation is not of yourselves," though many able men have taken the latter. The apostle is so anxious to bring out the great distinguishing doctrine of grace that he puts it in all lights, affirms it positively, contrasts it with its opposite, and emphasizes it by repetition. It is a gift, not a purchase; a free gift, without money and without price; what would never have been yours, but for the generosity of God. It is very usual in the New Testament thus to represent salvation; cf. our Lord's words to Nicodemus (John 3:16); to the woman of Samaria (John 4:14); St. Paul's "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15); "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23); and 1 John 5:11, "God gave unto us eternal life, and the life is in his Son." This usage confirms the view that it is not merely faith, but the whole work and person of Christ which faith receives, that is meant here as the "gift of God."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For [it is]
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

by grace
χάριτί (chariti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

you have been
ἐστε (este)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

saved
σεσῳσμένοι (sesōsmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

faith,
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

yourselves;
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[it is] the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

gift
δῶρον (dōron)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1435: A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
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