Where is it in the Bible?
Ephesians 2:8–9
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
In other translations
- ESV
- 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- NLT
- 8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
- CSB
- 8For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift— 9not from works, so that no one can boast.
- KJV
- 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The surrounding passage
Ephesians 2:6–11, King James Version
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11Wherefore 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;
Context
Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus that they were once spiritually dead in sin, and that God in his mercy made them alive with Christ (2:1–7). These verses sum up the point: salvation is God's gift, received through faith, not a reward earned by works. The very next verse adds that believers are created in Christ Jesus to do good works (2:10).
About the book of Ephesians
Grace, the united church, and the armor of God.
Could you have named it from the verse alone? Try Bible Reference Quiz: read a verse, then name its book, chapter, and verse.
Take the quiz →