Ephesians 2:8-9 - the gift of God- not by works

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

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Commentary

Christians have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source of salvation; faith is the channel, not the cause. God alone saves. Salvation never originates in the efforts of people; it always arises out of the lovingkindness of God. Truly, "salvation is of the Lord" (Jon. 2:9). Paul is saying that even our belief in God does not originate in ourselves. This too is a gift, so no one can take pride in his or her position as a Christian. Everything is received from our merciful and gracious Father.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Eph 2:8-10). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Not by works
A person cannot earn salvation through supposedly good deeds.

Salvation cannot be earned by:
1. Confirmation
2. Baptism
3. Church membership
4. Church attendance
5. Holy Communion
6. Trying to keep the Ten Commandments
7. Living by the Sermon on the Mount
8. Giving to charity
9. Being a good neighbor
10. Living a moral, respectable life

People are not saved by works. And they are not saved by faith plus works. They are saved through faith alone.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Eph 2:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Ephesians 2:4-5 - it is by grace you have been saved

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:4-5

Commentary

The words, But God, indicate that a stupendous change has taken place. It is a change from the doom and despair of the valley of death to the unspeakable delights of the kingdom of the Son of God's love. The Author of the change is God Himself. No one else could have done it, and no one else would have done it. One characteristic of this blessed One is that He is rich in mercy. He shows mercy to us by not treating us the way we deserve to be treated (Ps. 103:10).

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Eph 2:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Mercy and Grace

Mercy withholds from a person what is deserved (in this case, judgment); "grace" gives what is not deserved-salvation (v. 5).2:8, 9 Faith is not itself a work that somehow merits salvation; rather it is a response of trust stimulated by the Holy Spirit and leading to salvation. God's purpose in making salvation a free gift is to eliminate any possibility of people boasting in their own self-efforts (Rom. 3:27).

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Eph 2:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.