Ephesians 2:8

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 2:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God;
Ephesians 2:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For by grace are ye saved, &c.] This is to be understood, not of temporal salvation, nor of preservation in Christ, nor of providential salvation in order to calling, and much less of being put in a way of salvation, or only in a salvable state; but of spiritual salvation, and that actual; for salvation was not only resolved upon, contrived and secured in the covenant of grace, for the persons here spoken to, but it was actually obtained and wrought out for them by Christ, and was actually applied unto them by the Spirit; and even as to the full enjoyment of it, they had it in faith and hope; and because of the certainty of it, they are said to be already saved; and besides, were…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For--illustrating "the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness." Translate as in Eph 2:5, "Ye are in a saved state." through faith--the effect of the power of Christ's resurrection (Eph 1:19-20; Phi 3:10) whereby we are "raised together" with Him (Eph 2:6; Col 2:12). Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "through your (literally, 'the') faith." The instrument or mean of salvation on the part of the person saved; Christ alone is the meritorious agent. and that--namely, the act of believing, or "faith." "Of yourselves" stands in opposition to, "it is the gift of God" (Phi 1:29). "That which I have said, 'through faith,' I do not wish to be understood so as if I excepted faith itself from…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For by grace are ye saved - By mere favor. It is not by your Own merit; it is not because you have any claim. This is a favorite doctrine with Paul, as it is with all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity; compare the notes at Romans 1:7; Romans 3:24, note. Through faith - Grace bestowed through faith, or in connection with believing; see the notes at Romans 1:17; Romans 4:16, note. And that not of yourselves - That is, salvation does not proceed from yourselves. The word rendered “that” - τοῦτο touto - is in the neuter gender, and the word “faith” - πίστις pistis - is in the feminine. The word “that,” therefore, does not refer particularly to faith, as being the gift of God, but to “the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“By grace ye are saved through faith - Grace, without any respect to human worthiness, confers the glorious gift. Faith, with an empty hand, and without any pretence to personal desert, receives the heavenly blessing. And this is not of yourselves - This refers to the whole preceding clause, That ye are saved through faith, is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:8-9 This is a concise summary of how a person is saved. It is a cardinal tenet of the Good News that people are made righteous through trust in Christ rather than through their own merit (see Rom 1:16-17; 3:24-25; Gal 2:16; cp. John 3:16, 36). Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done (see Rom 3:21–4:8; 9:16; Gal 3:2-10; 5:1-6; cp. 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is for those who trust Christ alone to save them. As a result, none of us can boast about it (cp. Rom 3:27; 4:2; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Gal 6:14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“by: Eph 2:5; Rom 3:24; Th2 1:9 through: Mar 16:16; Luk 7:50; Joh 3:14-18, Joh 3:36, Joh 5:24, Joh 6:27-29, Joh 6:35, Joh 6:40; Act 13:39; Act 15:7-9, Act 16:31; Rom 3:22-26, Rom 4:5, Rom 4:16, Rom 10:9, Rom 10:10; Gal 3:14, Gal 3:22; Jo1 5:10-12 that: Eph 2:10, Eph 1:19; Mat 16:17; Joh 1:12, Joh 1:13, Joh 6:37, Joh 6:44, Joh 6:65; Act 14:27, Act 16:14; Rom 10:14, Rom 10:17; Phi 1:29; Col 2:12; Jam 1:16-18 Ephesians 2:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification