Saved by Grace through Faith

Ephesians 2:9 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
⁹not a result of works, so that no man may boast.

This verse emphasizes the fact that salvation is not based on works or human effort. It is not something that we can earn or achieve through our own merit but is a gift from God that is received through faith in Jesus.

The phrase “so that no one can boast” is significant, as it suggests that if salvation were based on work, there would be a temptation to boast or take credit for it. However, since salvation is a gift from God, there is no room for pride or boasting, as it is God’s grace and love that make it possible.

Overall, this verse is a reminder that salvation is not based on anything we do or achieve but is entirely a gift from God that is received through faith. It is a powerful reminder of the grace and love of God and the fact that our salvation is not based on our own merit or efforts but on His love and grace towards us.

Not a result of works – This phrase suggests that something (such as salvation or justification) is not earned or achieved through human effort or merit. It is not something that we can achieve on our own, but rather is a gift from God.
So that – This phrase introduces a purpose or reason for the preceding statement. It suggests that the statement about works being a result is made for a specific purpose.
No one may boast – This phrase suggests that the purpose of the preceding statement is to prevent anyone from boasting or taking credit for something that is not earned or achieved through their own efforts. It implies that boasting or taking credit for something that is not deserved is inappropriate or wrong.

The phrase “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” appears in several places in the New Testament, including Ephesians 2:9 and Romans 4:2. In both of these contexts, the phrase is used to emphasize the idea that salvation is not earned or achieved through human effort or merit, but rather is a gift from God that is received through faith.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the historical and cultural context of the New Testament, the concept of salvation being a gift from God was a radical and revolutionary idea. In the ancient world, people believed that they could earn favor with the gods or achieve salvation through their own good works or merit. The idea that salvation was a gift that was given freely by God rather than something that was earned through human effort was a new and challenging concept.

The phrase “so that no one may boast” is likely a reference to the common practice of boasting or taking credit for one’s own accomplishments or successes. In the ancient world, people often boasted about their own achievements in order to gain status or respect. The idea that salvation is not a result of works and is instead a gift from God serves to prevent people from boasting about their own achievements or taking credit for something that is not earned through their own efforts.

The phrase “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” emphasizes the idea that salvation is not earned or achieved through human effort or merit but rather is a gift from God that is received through faith. It serves to prevent people from boasting about their own achievements and to emphasize the idea that salvation is a gift from God rather than something that is earned through human effort.

Again, this verse suggests that something (such as salvation or justification) is not earned or achieved through human effort or merit and is instead a gift from God. The purpose of this statement is to prevent anyone from boasting or taking credit for something that is not earned or achieved through their own efforts.