Ephesians 2:10

Context

Ephesians has traditionally been regarded as a letter that Paul sent to the church in Ephesus and to the churches of the surrounding region. Some scholars, however, hold that it was written by a disciple of Paul.

Ephesians 2:1-10 describes how people who were dead in sin are made alive by God's grace. The immediately preceding verses, 8-9, state that salvation is the gift of God, given "by grace... through faith," and that it is "not of works." Verse 10 brings this explanation to a close by stating the purpose for which the saved were created: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

In the original Greek of the New Testament, the word rendered "workmanship" is poiēma, meaning "something made" or "a work." The word rendered "walk" literally means "to walk" and, by extension, "to live" or "to conduct one's life." It stands in contrast to the former life of sin described in Ephesians 2:2: "wherein in time past ye walked."

Interpretation

• The Reformed reading: Good works are regarded not as the cause of salvation but as its fruit and evidence. This reading emphasizes that even good works are prepared and accomplished by God. Chapter 16 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, "Of Good Works," cites this verse among its proof texts.
• The Lutheran reading: Justification, by which a person is declared righteous, is held to take place by faith alone. Good works are understood as the new obedience that flows naturally from that faith.
• The Wesleyan reading: The emphasis falls on grace renewing the person so that he or she is actually able to do good. The verse is read as a foundation for sanctification and holiness, that is, growth into a holy life.

Questions of Application

Interpreters differ over how to read the phrase "which God hath before ordained." The Calvinist tradition tends to connect it with God's decree, that is, with predestination. The Arminian and Wesleyan traditions place greater weight on the human response to the path of life that God has prepared.

Interpreters also differ over whether the verse refers to an individual mission assigned to each person, that is, a personal calling, or to the way of good living in which all believers are to walk. Across denominational lines, however, there is broad agreement that this verse must be read together with verses 8-9. Isolating verses 8-9, which speak of grace, in order to make light of works, or isolating verse 10 in order to treat good works as a condition of salvation, is regarded as a departure from the context.

In the Korean Church

In preaching, verses 8-10 are commonly read and expounded together as a single passage. The passage is used to explain both the doctrine of salvation by faith alone and the ethical life of the believer. It is also frequently cited in sermons responding to the criticism that "the Korean church emphasizes faith alone and neglects works." In such sermons it is often read alongside the passages on faith and works in James.

Related Passages

• Titus 3:5
• Galatians 5:6
• James 2:21-24
• 1 Corinthians 15:10
• Philippians 1:6