“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Christianity is simply not possible without the grace of God. It is His undeserved favor, and divine kindness that reaches out to humanity despite our sin and rebellion. The above passage is a declaration that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned through keeping the Law – not on our own righteousness. This passage humbles us, reminding us that no one can claim credit for their redemption—it is God’s doing, and it is offered freely through Christ.
If our salvation were based on keeping the Law, it would cease to be grace and become a transaction. Instead, grace is offered to us by God, though we are utterly undeserving in our sin. Romans 5:8 affirms this: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Grace operates independently of our worthiness; it flows from the character and love of God Himself.
Grace transforms us. It is not merely by grace that we have been given salvation, but God’s grace—changes us. When we come to understand what God has done, it is evident that we ought to abandon any form pride and self-reliance, and embrace humility and gratitude. Grace shapes the believer’s walk, influencing the way we love, serve, and extend compassion to others. As Jesus taught, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The grace we receive should reflect in how we treat others, extending patience, forgiveness, and kindness.

Paul emphasizes that salvation comes “through faith.” Faith is the hand that reaches out to accept God’s gift. It is trust in God’s provision, reliance on Christ’s finished work rather than our own abilities. Faith does not create grace—it responds to it. This distinction is essential, lest anyone believe salvation is a product of their belief rather than the Lord’s mercy.
True faith is more than intellectual agreement; it is active trust. Just as a drowning person must depend entirely on a rescuer, so must we rely completely on Christ. Faith acknowledges that human effort falls short and joyfully accepts the sufficiency of Jesus.
Because salvation is by grace, there is no basis for our boasting. If we were saved by works of the law, then we would be justified in self-righteousness, which would make salvation into a contest of merit. But grace silences pride and exalts God alone. The phrase, “not of works, lest anyone should boast” reminds us that heaven is filled with humbled hearts, not self-proclaimed super saints.