"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
— Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8-9 is the "saved by grace through faith" verse. This page gives the verses, where they sit in Ephesians 2, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about grace, Bible verses about salvation, and Bible verses about faith.
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The verse
The King James says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
"Grace" is charis (G5485), favor given freely. "Saved" is sozo (G4982), to rescue or make safe. "Faith" is pistis (G4102), trust. "Gift" is doron (G1435), a present. "Works" is ergon (G2041), deeds or labor. "Boast" is kauchaomai (G2744), to brag or glory in.
Where it sits in Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2 starts with bad news: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Then it turns: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Verses 8-9 repeat that line and spell it out. The very next verse adds, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
What the verse is saying
Salvation is a gift. It comes by grace, God's free favor, and is received through faith, trusting him. Paul says it is "not from yourselves" and "not by works," so no one can claim they earned it.
Good works still matter, but they come after, not before. Verse 10 says God made us for good works; they are the fruit of being saved, not the price of it. For more, see Bible verses about mercy, Bible verses about God's love, and John 3:16.
Questions people ask
What does Ephesians 2:8-9 say?
In the NIV it says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." The KJV says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith."
What does "saved by grace through faith" mean?
"Grace" is the Greek charis, favor given freely, and "faith" is pistis, trust. God gives salvation as a gift, and a person receives it by trusting him rather than earning it.
Does Ephesians 2:8-9 mean good works don't matter?
No. The next verse says believers are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10). Works follow salvation; they do not buy it.
Why does Paul say "so that no one can boast"?
Because salvation is a gift, no one can take credit for it. Paul says it is "not from yourselves" and "not by works."
What verse goes well with Ephesians 2:8-9?
Romans 5:8 says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." John 3:16 says God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
