The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Grace” it comes from the Greek Word “charis” which means “grace, unmerited favor.”
Paul describes exactly what condition believers were in before God stepped in to rescue them. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Ephesians 2.
Paul reminds the Ephesians of their former condition, “dead in trespasses and sins,” walking according to the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air, living in the lusts of the flesh, and “by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” But God, “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,” “charis” in Greek, “ye are saved;)” raising believers up together and seating them together with Christ in heavenly places.
Paul delivers one of the clearest summaries of salvation found anywhere in the Bible. “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.” He explains that believers are God’s own workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for them to walk in, clarifying that good works flow out of salvation rather than earning it.
Paul reminds Gentile believers that they were formerly separated from Christ, strangers to Israel’s covenants, having no hope and without God in the world, but that through Christ’s blood, they who were once far off have been brought near. He explains that Christ Himself is their peace, having broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile, reconciling both into one body through the cross, so that Gentile believers are no longer strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s own household, built together upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone, growing into a holy temple where God dwells through the Spirit.
Paul’s summary, saved by grace through faith, not of works, remains one of the most quoted verses in the entire Bible precisely because it settles the question so completely, that salvation is entirely God’s gift rather than human achievement. Good works matter deeply, but only as the fruit of this gift, never as its price.
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