Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:8

What does Ephesians 2:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:8 means

Paul states the heart of the gospel: salvation is by grace through faith. Grace is God’s unearned favor and power; faith is the open hand that receives Christ. Even this saving reality is “not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” The whole package—rescue in Christ received by trusting him—comes from God’s initiative. This leaves no room for pride and gives assurance: what God gives, he sustains. Faith is not a work that earns, but reliance on Another who saves. By rooting salvation in God’s gift, Paul comforts the insecure and confronts the self-reliant. Our hope rests in God’s generosity, not our performance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it isGod's gift:

Context

Verse 8 distills the preceding truths into a clear statement of grace received through faith. It answers the question, “How does God’s saving mercy come to me?” Verse 9 will immediately add what salvation is not—works—guarding the message from human boasting. Then verse 10 will restore the rightful place of good works as God-prepared fruit of new life. Together, these verses form a compact summary of Christian salvation.

v.7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

v.8This passage

v.9not of works, that no man should glory.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 1:16

    Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.

  • Acts 16:14

    And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

  • John 6:35

    Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

  • Romans 4:16

    For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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

  • Ephesians 2:5

    even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),

  • Matthew 16:17

    And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

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