Ephesians 2:7-11

Eph 2:7

That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

 

Exceeding riches - The surpassing wealth of God’s grace.

Kindness - Generosity or goodness

 

Here is the culmination of verses 4-6.  The believers are the object of the mercy and kindness of God. 

 

Ages - plural word - It could mean the end of this age and the next age to come which is eternity.  The word “ages” is the word “aion” which can be translated both eternity and a period or era of time.  This may serve a double meaning that in the ages to come until the last day God will be showing his kindness and mercy to those who will become saved until the last one is saved and it also means that throughout eternity God’s mercy will be evident as it is showered upon the elect of God for eternity.  This exceeding riches of his grace for eternity will not be something that will be hidden but will be something that will be publicly shown in Heaven.

 

Eph 2:8

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

 

Salvation is only received by faith however it is not of yourselves, that is, the faith to receive Christ is not generated from within man but it is gift of God.  Then how does one receive the faith to believe?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (Acts 2:38)  In Acts 2:38 we see that reception of the Holy Spirit is given as a gift from God.  This means that if anyone has faith, it is given to them to believe since man is in a spiritually dead condition.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (Galatians 5:22)  Galatians 5:22 teaches us that faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means that a person receives the Holy Spirit so they can believe on Christ which further means that a person becomes saved first and then they have the ability to believe because they now have faith being in a regenerated state.  The word “of yourselves” in the Greek text is in the Genitive case which is the case of possession.  What God is stating is that the faith which is beginning of salvation is not found within any spiritually dead person but must be given to them so they can believe.  There is no such thing as a spiritually dead person having the ability to regenerate themselves, they must first experience the first resurrection when at that point they receive the Holy Spirit giving them the ability to believe.  Grace is something that is received by the believer passively and once grace is applied to the believer, they have become saved.

 

Eph 2:9

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Works - (ergon) deeds or actions

Boast - glory

 

Beside John 3:16, these are probably the two most quoted and misinterpreted verses in the Bible.  Grace is the bestowing of salvation on people who have done nothing to earn it.  To accept Christ would be a work because that would be an action.  The salvation plan of God is void of any action on the part of the one who is receiving the gift of salvation.  What work can anyone do that is greater than what Christ did on the cross?  As far back as Abraham who was saved by grace even he could not do any works for salvation.  {1} What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?  {2} For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  (Romans 4:1-2)  If Abraham was justified by works he could glory.  The word “glory” can also be understood as “boast.”  The truth is that he could not glory before God because his salvation was a gift from God and all he did was receive it.  Those who boast in their works gospels can do it before the world and the world may laud them but when they meet the Lord on Judgment Day, their works salvation will never be enough to grant them eternal life in Heaven. 

 

Every work of unsaved man is sin tainted - The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Proverbs 21:27)   The Bible states that the works of unsaved man are tainted with sin and can never measure up to the perfect sacrifice of Christ on Calvary.  Those who desire to work their way to Heaven will receive this commendation:

 

{21} Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  {22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (Matthew 7:21-23)

 

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  (Galatians 2:16)

 

Not very promising to those who think they are good enough to work their way to Heaven.  Christ will not know them because they are spiritually dead and Christ only knows his sheep by name.  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  (John 10:3)

 

Eph 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.

 

Workmanship - Something made or created

Good - Perfect, complete, upright, useful

Works - Deeds, actions, occupation

Before ordained - prepared before

Walk - Live or conduct oneself

 

We are God’s workmanship, that is, he made us saved and placed us into the kingdom of his son.  Before we were saved, we walked around as children of wrath but now because we are saved, we are children of God.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)  God placed us in Christ thus making us new creatures.

 

God has already planned certain works for us to do.  Those works are designed to be done in the parameters of the abilities and spiritual gifts which God has placed in us.  Keep in mind that this verse is not teaching that a person can work their way to Heaven.  This verse is teaching us that after we are saved God has already planned for us to do a task within the kingdom of God.  It is interesting to note that not only is a person predestined to be saved but our good works are “before ordained” or prepared before we are even saved.  Once we know what works the Lord has planned for us, they become our way of living.  For example, I am a writer who has penned hundreds of articles and three books plus postings on Facebook and on my website which has been on line for over 21 years at this writing.  I enjoy writing very much because I am able to bring forth the teachings of Scripture and to help guide newer believers into deeper Bible study.  I know that one of my spiritual gifts is the gift of teaching but I do it by writing instead of preaching.

 

If you have never done a search for your spiritual gifts, then please go to my study “keys to finding your spiritual Gift(s).  This is located at: http://www.scionofzion.com/keys.htm

 

Eph 2:11

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

 

Remember - literally means keep on remembering

Time Past - Before salvation

Gentiles - Pagans

 

In the early church there was also a clash between the Gentile Christians and the Jewish Christians concerning the rite of circumcision.  Peter was even siding with the Jews.  {11} But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  {12} For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  (Galatians 2:11-12)  There was a time when the Gentiles were considered heathens and the term “uncircumcision” was used to denote distinction between the two groups.  Today we would use the term saved and unsaved.  Notice how God is pointing out the term circumcision in the flesh?  Here we also see God pointing out that the circumcision was made with hands in contrast to the circumcision which God himself was going to perform on His elect.  And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.  (Deuteronomy 30:6)

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