Ephesians 2:9

9 not of works, that no man have glory.

Ephesians 2:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 2:9

Not of works
Of any kind, moral or ceremonial, before or after conversion, done without faith or in it, nor of these in any sense; works are neither the moving causes, nor the procuring causes, nor the helping causes, nor "causa sine qua non", or conditions of salvation; the best works that are done by men, are not done of themselves, but by the grace of God, and therefore can never merit at his hand: and salvation is put upon such a foot,

lest any man should boast;
of his works before God, and unto men; wherefore he has denied works any place in justification and salvation, in order to exclude all boasting in man; and has fixed it in a way of grace, and has chosen and called poor sinful worthless creatures to enjoy it, that whoever glories, may glory in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:9 In-Context

7 that he should show in the worlds above coming the plenteous riches of his grace in goodness on [upon] us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace ye be saved by faith, and this not of you [and that not of you]; for it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, that no man have glory.

10 For we be the making of him, made of nought in Christ Jesus, in good works, which God hath ordained, that we go in those works [that God made ready before, that in them we go].

11 For which thing be ye mindful, that sometime ye were heathen in flesh, which were said prepuce, from that that is said circumcision made by hand in flesh [from that that is said circumcision in flesh made by hand];