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Ephesians 2:9

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 2:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “not of works, that no man should glory.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

not of works, that no man should glory.
Ephesians 2:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus:
7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:
8for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God;
9not of works, that no man should glory.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.
11Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;
12that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
← Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Not of works, &c.] 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…”
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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
“Not of works--This clause stands in contrast to "by grace," as is confirmed by Rom 4:4-5; Rom 11:6. lest--rather, as Greek, "that no man should boast" (Rom 3:27; Rom 4:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Not of works - see the notes at Romans 3:20, Romans 3:27. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“Not by works - Neither this faith nor this salvation is owing to any works you ever did, will, or can do. Ephesians 2:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Rom 3:20, Rom 3:27, Rom 3:28, Rom 4:2, Rom 9:11, Rom 9:16, Rom 11:6; Co1 1:29-31; Ti2 1:9; Tit 3:3-5 Ephesians 2:10”
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Related study paths

Read Ephesians 2 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification