COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS
LESSON NUMBER 23
Eph 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." " (Eph 2:9-10)
NOT SAVED BY WORKS - THE SAVED ARE A WORK
INTRODUCTION
It is my persuasion that Paul had some depth of insight on this matter that was not vouchsafed to others. This has to do with the intricate Involvements of why salvation is "not of works." There is far too much bantering within the professed church about this subject. Basically the people have fallen into one of two trains of thought. Some assume that "not of works" means salvation is altogether divorced from works. Therefore, they have become tolerant of carnality, and pass off its existence in the church by saying we are saved by grace, and what we do really has little or nothing to do with it. The other group insists that the text does not mean what it says, taking the position that what it means is that we are not saved by keeping the Law. However, works are a requirement for obtaining salvation. It is noteworthy that this group says very little about WHY we are saved, and what salvation produces. The religion of both of these groups has little depth, and is sorely lacking in understanding. All of this indicates a lack of spiritual discernment concerning both the reason and nature of salvation.
No man should expect the salvation of God to be simplistic, because the human condition with which it deals, and resolves, is not one noted for simplicity. We should not require a lot of tutelage on this matter. Concerning the state in which we were found, and in relation to God, we were "dead in trespasses and sins." Concerning our focus, we "walked according to the course of this world." That manner of life was "according to the prince of the power of the air," and it caused us to be "the children of disobedience." (2:1-2). It should be clear that we could do nothing about our situation. We were corrupt by nature, possessing no needed virtues. Both our circumstances and the one who ruled over us was superior to us. That is what salvation addresses.
NOT OF WORKS LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST
Eph 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
This text will account for what has happened to us in Christ Jesus. Concerning the state of being "dead in trespasses and sins," God "quickened us together with Christ" (2:5). Concerning our environment, God "made us sit together with Christ in heavenly places" (2:8). The reason He did this was "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:7). In summation, that is being saved "by grace" "through faith" - and the entire process is "not of ourselves: it is the gift of God" (2:8).
You will be hard-pressed to find anyone today who views salvation in such a manner. I am quick ro say, however, the ones who are really "saved" immediately recognize the truth that is stated in these verses. It only needs to be proclaimed for them to take hold of it. Their heart and their conscience will attest to the truth of these words, opening the wellspring of joy.
NOT OF WORKS. Other versions read, "not as a result of works," NASB "not because of works," NRSV "not a reward for the good we have done," LIVING "does not come from human effort," IE "not the result of works," ISV "not the result of what anyone can do." WILLIAMS "It isn't something you have earned," CEV "You are not saved by the things you have done," ERV "We don't play the major role." MESSAGE "[not the fulfillment of the Law's demands]." AMPLIFIED
This is one of the most misunderstood verses and concepts in all of the Scriptures. It deals with salvation in a manner virtually unknown to the nominal church.
"Do and live." The Law introduced the concept of life proceeding from doing. "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD" (Lev 18:5; Neh 9:29; Ezek 20:11,13,21; Lk 10:28; Rom 10:5). The things to be done are what God has commanded. They are summarized in the Ten Commandments. This is not the same as the thought of earning, for obedience and earning are not synonymous terms or concepts.
When it comes to forgiveness and justification, there is no procedure that can obtain the benefit. It is conferred by grace, not by means of a routine. Here the promise of the Law must be seen for what it was. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land" (Isa 1:19). This is not the principle through which salvation is either obtained or maintained. Even the godly prior to Christ knew this was true. Obedience is essential, but it is not what saves us. Even the ancients knew this - people who lived before "the day of salvation."
Micah reasoned, "Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" (Micah 6:7).
David reasoned similarly, "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering" (Psa 51:16).
Speaking through Hosea, God said, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6).
There is no work than can offset sin, remit it, cleanse the conscience, or justify. All such things require Divine favor, or grace, and that is accessed by faith. In the matter of believing, it is God who gives us to believe (Phil 1:29), and that is triggered, so to speak, by a hearing a message, not a work of man.
LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. God's requirements are lofty - too lofty for men, however noble their works may be. Paul reasoned on this, using Abraham as a point of reference. "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God" (Rom 4:2). Although this is a hypothetical situation, it drives the point home. If Abraham was actually justified by works, he could rightly boast of such an achievement - BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. The nature of God will not permit Him to change the status of men because of what they do - even when it is good and right. The contrast here is with faith - with believing God. Therefore Paul reasons, "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom 4:3).
While doing the will of God is necessary, it must not be allowed to trump believing God. So far as I know, there is not a recovery plan among men, or system of self-improvement, that does not rely wholly upon DOING something. I know of no human plan that relies upon believing to accomplish its aim. They deal with steps, routines, etc. And even in this, they are beneath the level of the Law, which dealt with DOING as a means of obtaining life at the highest possible level.
Think of the things associated with faith. They speak to us of its effectiveness. Understanding (Heb 11:3), living (Rom 1:17), trusting (1 Tim 4:10), persuasion (Rom 4:21), assurance (Heb 10:22), hearing (Gal 3:2,5), protection (Eph 6:16), joy (Phil 1:25), etc. What "work" can appropriate such things?
In its essence, salvation comes to us "by grace through faith" - and we cannot take credit for the presence of either. This circumstance is what makes Christ the "Author and the Finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2). Oh, that men could see more of this!
WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP
210a "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works . . ."
It will free men from unnecessary confusion when they realize the subject Paul is developing is not works, but salvation. When men turn this into a dialog about what men are to do, they obscure the marvelous truth that is being proclaimed.
HIS WORKMANSHIP. Salvation is a work of God, not the result of the work of man. A person that is saved is a product of Divine activity. Even when speaking of the nation of Israel in particular, and humanity in general, the Psalmist confessed, "Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture" (Psa 100:3). He knew you could not thoroughly account for the children of Israel simply by tracing their genealogy back to Abraham. Nor, indeed can we account for humanity by only tracing it back to Adam.
It is even more so with the saved - the body of Christ. As individuals, and as "the body of Christ," the saved are God's "workmanship" - the result of His work, not their own. Other versions read, "what He has made us," NRSV "what God made," IE "God's own handiwork," WEYMOUTH "His masterpiece," ISV "God has made us what we are," GNB "God does both the making and the saving," MESSAGE and "God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship)." AMPLIFIED
The word "workmanship" means, "the works of God as Creator." THAYER "only of the works of God as Creator." FRIBERG If men were saved by works, they would be the product, or result, of their own work, or activity. But that is not at all the case -even though the saved have done a number of things. Initially they included hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, calling on the name of the Lord, and being baptized. After the new birth the saved perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord (2 Cor 7:1), fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12), lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim 6:19), put on the new man (Eph 4:24), put off the old man (Col 3:9), put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:11), and run the race set before them with patient endurance (Heb 12:1-2), etc. Yet, we are not saved by these things. We are saved "by grace through faith," and that is summarized by the saying, "We are His workmanship."
This is why those in Christ are said to be a "new creature," or "new creation" NKJV (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15). This new entity has been "created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph 4:24), being "renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col 3:9). This is not the refurbishment of the Adamic nature. It is not developing more fully what man is by nature. It is not uncovering latent capacities that reside in fallen man. God's "workmanship" consists of things that were not possessed before. Both capacities and possessions are integral to the persons of the saved that were never possessed or experienced before conversion.
This lifts the matter of salvation out of the realm of human ingenuity and accomplishment. Newness of life is not merely a different way of living, a new set of habits, or the cleaning up of our act, so to speak.
You have been blessed when you examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5), and find what the Lord Himself has done! Some are content to examine themselves to see if any uncomely things are there. And, indeed, such an examination is necessary. Yet, it is not the superior examination. The findings that will themselves yield benefit are those that are wrought by God, and therefore can be kept and maintained. Jesus spoke of this when He said to Nicodemus, "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:21).
CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS. Other versions read, "given us new lives from Christ Jesus," LIVING "in Christ Jesus we have been created," IE "He has created us through our union with Christ Jesus," WILLIAMS "in Christ Jesus God made us new people," ERV "He creates each of us by Christ Jesus," MESSAGE and "recreated in Christ Jesus." AMPLIFIED
Stripped of the embellishments of human interpretation, Jesus Christ is the appointed environment in which the new creation is accomplished. This is why we are "added to the Lord" (Acts 5:14), "joined unto the Lord" (1 Cor 6:17), and "baptized into Christ" (Gal 3:27). God is holy, and He cannot recreate man in a defiled environment. The earth has been contaminated, together with all humanity. Therefore, in the salvation of God, all of the valid and effective working is accomplished "in the Son."
UNTO GOOD WORKS. The aim of salvation is not simply to bring a cessation to "dead works" (Heb 9:14). Newness of life demands new expression - "good works." These are works that are inherently good, and not mixed with corruption. "Good works" are mentioned 16 times in Scripture, and always in a good sense (Matt 5:16; John 10:32; Acts 9:36; Rom 13:3; Eph 2:10; 1 Tim 2:10; 5:10,25; 6:18; 2 Tim 3:17; Tit 2:7,14; 3:8,14; Heb 10:24; 1 Pet 2:12).
This means that salvation is designed to bring men to DO something - to participate in the working of the Lord. Ultimately this will involve reigning with Jesus (2 Tim 2:12). Now it involves God working in the saved both to "do and to will" (Phil 2:13).
WALKING IN WORKS VERSUS BEING SAVED BY WORKS
210b " . . . which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
It should become increasingly apparent to us that the salvation of God is not primarily about meeting human needs, raising the level of human potentiality, or meeting the fundamental needs of men. All of these things are addressed in salvation, but not at the foundational level. Rather, God sought a means to reveal Himself by the participation of other personalities in His work. This would require a strong inclination on His part, as well as a level of wisdom that was not known prior to "the day of salvation."
Men have debated endlessly on works - good works - whether they are necessary or not; or whether men can be saved apart from them or not. But that is not how God approaches the subject of "good works," and neither should that be our manner to do so.
Note how Paul addresses the matter of "good works." It is not on the basis of Law, or their necessity. He rather traces them to Divine objective - the reason for the new creation. At this point, the professed church is very weak. It rarely deals with what God intends, but rather presents the Lord as One who demands, or requires, certain things of us. Paul rises higher than this and informs us WHY God recreated us in Christ Jesus. It was to do "good works."
GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED. Other versions read, "which God prepared beforehand," NKJV "which God prepared in advance," NIV "and long ages ago He planned," LIVING good works which He has pre-destined us to practice," WEYMOUTH "He beforehand planned for us to do," WILLIAMS "God predestined us to make our daily way of life," MONTGOMERY "God planned for us to do good things," CEV "to join him in the work He does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do," MESSAGE and "good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]." AMPLIFIED
You can tell from the various versions that this is a very difficult concept for men to comprehend. Ordinarily men think of God joining them in the work they are doing. Here, however, the point is man joining God in what He is doing. The words "before ordained" refer to before the foundation of the world. These works have to do with how we use our abilities, our time, our opportunities, and our resources. I do not believe the stress of this teaching is on specific things that are done by the saints. Rather, this deals with the kind of works we do.
THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. Salvation by grace is the appointed prelude to walking in good works. This describes the entirety of our lives, and every facet of them. These are works that are summarized in fulfilling a certain assigned stewardship.
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS. The clear example of this kind of life is the Lord Jesus Himself. In His life He fleshed out what these works are all about. Jesus said, "the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do . . ." (John 5:36). Again He said, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me" (John 9:4-5). The strict harmony of His works with those of the Father is seen in His words, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). He also affirmed that the works He did bore witness that the Father had sent Him: "the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me" (John 5:36). Again He said, "the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me" (John 10:25). He said that the "many" good works that He did were "from My Father" (John 10:32). For Jesus, His "good works" were summarized in the commission delivered to Him by God: "I lay down My life, that I might take it again . . . This commandment have I received of My Father" (John 10:17-18).
THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL. Paul stands as an example of someone given a work to do - a work prepared for him before he was born (Gal 1:15). When Jesus called him, He summarized the works for which he was ordained. ". . . I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness . . . To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me" (Acts 26:16-18).
The "good works" of reference are not generic, referring to one's general deportment. They have particularly to do with being "laborers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9), and being "fellow helpers to the truth" (3 John 1:8).
It may be someone like Phebe, of whom Paul said "she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also" (Rom 16:2). The works range from giving a cup of cold water to one of the little ones (Matt 10:42), to laboring in the Word and in the doctrine (1 Tim 5:17) and relieving the afflicted (1 Tim 5:10). The point is that the work is directly related to what God is doing in Christ Jesus - working together with God (2 Cor 6:1). Scriptures reveal certain people who were raised up to do a work: David, Esther, Nehemiah, Barnabas, etc. When a person is born again, they are placed in the Divine work-pool, which is the church of the living God. They are expected to be at God's disposal when the time comes to fulfill their work. That is done by living by faith.