Bible Strands
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian church immediately after declaring that salvation excludes human boasting. He writes to clarify that their new identity in Christ carries a specific, divinely orchestrated purpose.
The words — The text uses ποίημα (poiēma), literally “workmanship” or crafted product, and κτισθέντες (ktisthentes), “having been created.” These terms frame believers as a deliberate divine artifact rather than a self-made achievement.
The thread — This theme of God preparing and working out good works for believers appears in Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:10, and Hebrews 13:21. Each reference ties divine initiative to the believer’s daily walk and obedience.
Why it lands — The passage demands that readers abandon self-justification and live according to the good works God already arranged. It requires a practical orientation toward a prepared path of life rather than personal merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Cross-references
- Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- Colossians 1:10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- Hebrews 13:21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
- Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
- 2 Timothy 3:17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
- Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
- 2 Timothy 2:21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.