Ephesians 2:10
Parallel Verses
New International Version
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


English Standard Version
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


New American Standard Bible
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.


King James Bible
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.


International Standard Version
For we are God's masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.


American Standard Version
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.


Douay-Rheims Bible
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.


Darby Bible Translation
For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them.


Young's Literal Translation
for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk.


Cross References
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.


Isaiah 19:25
Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.


Isaiah 29:23
But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.


Isaiah 43:7
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made him.


Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.


Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:


Ephesians 1:4
According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:


Ephesians 2:6
And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:


Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.


Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace;


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Commentaries
2:1-10 Sin is the death of the soul. A man dead in trespasses and sins has no desire for spiritual pleasures. When we look upon a corpse, it gives an awful feeling. A never-dying spirit is now fled, and has left nothing but the ruins of a man. But if we viewed things aright, we should be far more affected by the thought of a dead soul, a lost, fallen spirit. A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men are slaves to Satan. Satan is the author of that proud, carnal disposition which there is in ungodly men; he rules in the hearts of men. From Scripture it is clear, that whether men have been most prone to sensual or to spiritual wickedness, all men, being naturally children of disobedience, are also by nature children of wrath. What reason have sinners, then, to seek earnestly for that grace which will make them, of children of wrath, children of God and heirs of glory! God's eternal love or good-will toward his creatures, is the fountain whence all his mercies flow to us; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy is rich mercy. And every converted sinner is a saved sinner; delivered from sin and wrath. The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus. Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. A regenerated sinner becomes a living soul; he lives a life of holiness, being born of God: he lives, being delivered from the guilt of sin, by pardoning and justifying grace. Sinners roll themselves in the dust; sanctified souls sit in heavenly places, are raised above this world, by Christ's grace. The goodness of God in converting and saving sinners heretofore, encourages others in after-time, to hope in his grace and mercy. Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not of works, lest any man should boast. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, therefore all boasting is shut out. All is the free gift of God, and the effect of being quickened by his power. It was his purpose, to which he prepared us, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and his Holy Spirit producing such a change in us, that we should glorify God by our good conversation, and perseverance in holiness. None can from Scripture abuse this doctrine, or accuse it of any tendency to evil. All who do so, are without excuse.

10. workmanship—literally, "a thing of His making"; "handiwork." Here the spiritual creation, not the physical, is referred to (Eph 2:8, 9).

created—having been created (Eph 4:24; Ps 102:18; Isa 43:21; 2Co 5:5, 17).

unto good works—"for good works." "Good works" cannot be performed until we are new "created unto" them. Paul never calls the works of the law "good works." We are not saved by, but created unto, good works.

before ordained—Greek, "before made ready" (compare Joh 5:36). God marks out for each in His purposes beforehand, the particular good works, and the time and way which tie sees best. God both makes ready by His providence the opportunities for the works, and makes us ready for their performance (Joh 15:16; 2Ti 2:21).

that we should walk in them—not "be saved" by them. Works do not justify, but the justified man works (Ga 5:22-25).

Ephesians 2:9
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