Ephesians 2:9

9 Not by works, so that no man may take glory to himself.

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 in the time to come he might make clear the full wealth of his grace in his mercy to us in Christ Jesus:

8 Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God:

9 Not by works, so that no man may take glory to himself.

10 For by his act we were given existence in Christ Jesus to do those good works which God before made ready for us so that we might do them.

11 For this reason keep it in mind that in the past you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are looked on as being outside the circumcision by those who have circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;