The Strand Study Bible

EPHESIANS Written From Rome During Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment has to trust Christ’s “ WORK ” for salvation, not their own “works” ( Exo 14:13,30-31 , Hab 1:5 , Titus 3:5 a,b and Jn 6:28-29 ). 2. You have to “exist” by grace (Eph 2:10) Christians aren’t supposed to work for God; God is supposed to work through them. Paul argues with the Galatian believers in Galatians 3:1-3, “If you couldn’t do good (works) to earn your salvation, what makes you think you can do good (works) to keep your salvation?” Paul admonished the Galatians Christians to exist (live) by grace, not just experience grace. Those who “best” illustrate the overflowing wealth of God’s marvelous grace will, in the ages to come, be placed on exhibit for the rest of God’s creation to view. Those “stands” will be for those who not only experienced grace, but also existed by grace throughout their lives. 2:8a The first time the word “ grace ” appears in the Bible is in Genesis 6:8 . Grace is but one of three by-products of faith (Eph 2:8). The other two are mercy and peace. Grace is an “undeserved blessing” that is freely bestowed upon us by God whenever we accept His solutions to our failures ( Jere 18:2 – Lesson #4). Thus, the whole point of grace is that it doesn’t start with us; it starts with God. Grace is not earned or merited, but is freely and lovingly given to those who come to God by faith ( Heb 11:1 ). God says, “I’ve got something for you that you don’t deserve, but if you’ll give me the “last say” in your life, I’ll bestow it upon you.” Unger’s Bible Dictionary notes: The greatest description of grace given in the Bible is found in Genesis 19. It is the story of Lot. Like Noah (Gen 6:8), Lot also experienced the grace of God when he, by faith, “agreed” (repented – Jonah 3:5 ) to leave the city of Sodom ( Gen 19:14a , 16,19 ). Again, grace describes God’s attitude towards the law-breaker and rebel. Whereas mercy is defined as not receiving what we do deserve (which is Hell), grace is defined as receiving what we don’t deserve (which is deliverance from Hell). In other words, what we all deserve is Hell and what we don’t deserve is deliverance from Hell. Yet, because of the grace of God, we are delivered from what we deserve (Eph 2:8-9). NOTE – In discussing the subject of grace , an important distinction must be maintained between common grace ( Mt 5:45 ) and saving grace (Eph 2:8-9). Unlike common grace, which is universally given, saving grace is bestowed only on those whom God saves through faith in CHRIST . There are three reasons why God acts in grace , especially in salvation: (1) He does it to express His love (Eph 2:4 and Jn 3:16); (2) He does it to be able to display His grace in the ages to come (Eph 2:7); and (3) He does it to get believers to produce good works (Eph 2:10). 2:8b This phrase ( through faith ) means “on condition of faith.” It is not “on account of faith,” as if faith were the ground. Salvation is in every aspect, a work of God on behalf of man, and is in no sense a work of man on behalf of God ( Exo 14:13,30-31 ). Nowhere in the Bible is it taught that any feature of salvation depends upon the faithfulness of man ( Heb 6:1 c and Jn 1:13 & 6:28-29 ). 2:9 As humans, we have no part in salvation ( Not of works ) save the beggar’s part (Lk 23:39-43). It is impossible for human beings to “work” in order to earn their way to Heaven ( Jn 1:13 , Jonah 2:9 , Titus 3:5 a , Lk 7:41-50 & 15:1-32, Rom 3:20,27-28 & 4:5 and Gal 2:16,21 & 3:19-22). Salvation is by “grace” and “grace” alone (Rom 11:6). Evan tell tract company, in one of their tracts called “WHAT are you depending ON…,” notes: 3 1966 Grace thus rules out all human merit. It requires only faith in the Saviour. Any intermixture of human merit violates grace. God’s grace thus provides not only salvation but safety and preservation for the saved one, despite his imperfections. 2

To get to heaven, you must be satisfied with the thing that satisfies God. If you are trusting good works to get to heaven, you are saying, ‘Christ’s death on the cross was unnecessary. I’ll get to heaven by my own efforts.’ In so doing, you have thrown away His payment for your sin. If you trust Christ and your good works to get you to heaven, you are saying to God, ‘Your Son’s death was disappointing! He paid for those sins and I’ll pay for these.’ You have thrown away His payment for your sin. On the cross He said, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). He did not make the down payment for your sins; He made the full payment. If you trust Christ alone as your only way to heaven, you are saying to God, ‘I accept what You did on my behalf as my only basis for a right standing with God.’ You have agreed with God about His Son and accepted His payment for your sins.

CHRIST + WORKS

CHRIST ALONE

WORKS

Christ’s death was unnecessary Christ’s death was sufficient 2:15 The law is our “enemy,” not our friend. It was written to condemn us, not console us. It was given to show us our need for a Savior (Gal 3:19-24), not save us (Titus 3:5). 3:4,6 The “ mystery of Christ ” has nothing to do with an understanding of the Gospel of Christ. The “mystery” Paul spoke of here was not of salvation, but of Gentiles becoming a part of the Jewish Church ( That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs ). That is, saved Gentiles (Exo 12:38, Num 11:4 and Isa 56:6-7) joining saved Jews (Exo 12:37) in order that they might work together concerning Christ’s death was disappointing

the proclamation of the salvation message ( Rom 16:25 and Mk 11:14 ). 1 McGee, J. Vernon. Ephesians , Pasadena, CA: Thru the Bible Books, n.d. Print. 2 Unger’s Bible Dictionary . Chicago, ILL, Moody Press, 1957. Print. 3 Evantell. WHAT are you depending ON . Dallas, TX: 2006. Print.