Bible Strands
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to a mixed Jewish-Gentile congregation in Ephesus, mid-argument that both groups were equally dead in sin and have been made alive together (vv. 1–7). This verse is the hinge between the "dead" description and the "not by works" exclusion of v. 9.
The words — χάριτι (chariti), dative of χάρις, is instrumental: "by grace" names the means by which salvation is effected. The grammar makes grace the agent and faith (διὰ πίστεως) the channel, not a human achievement.
The thread — Romans 3:22 places righteousness "through faith" as God's provision; Ephesians 2:5 repeats "by grace you have been saved" as a standalone declaration; Romans 4:16 grounds the promise "on grace" so it is guaranteed to all offspring.
Why it lands — The verse assigns the reader a fixed role: recipient, not co-agent. It forecloses any claim that the act of believing is itself a merit, because the faith through which grace is received is itself identified as God's gift.
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 by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Cross-references
- Romans 3:22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,
- Ephesians 2:5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
- Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
- John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
- Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
- Acts 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”
- James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
- John 6:37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.
- John 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.