Ephesians 2:8,9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast.

What is the meaning of "you have been saved"?
You are delivered from the punishment of sin and brought into eternal life.
To what time do these words refer to?
To the time when the Ephesians were first brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
What does this teach about salvation?
That in this aspect, salvation can be a definite experience in our past.
How are we saved according to the Apostle Paul?
By grace.
What is "grace"?
Grace stands for an undeserved favor.

Through what are we saved?
Through faith
What is faith?
Trust, positive confidence, taking God at his word.
What does it mean "to be saved through faith"?
Salvation only comes by believing in God's work.
What do we learn from this?
That salvation is dependent on our own faith - no-one else can do it for us.

What does the apostle Paul add to this?
And this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast.
To what does "And this" refer?
To the process of salvation.
What great contrasts are given in this verse?
not from yourselves but from God
not by works, it is a gift.
What is meant by "not from yourselves?"
That no act or deed from ourselves can give us salvation.
What is meant by "not by works?"
No acts of righteousness can earn salvation.
How does the Apostle Paul further show that we owe all to grace?
By adding that no-one can boast.
How can we summarize this teaching?
Christians owe everything to God's favour; nothing to our own works. When we receive the gift of salvation by faith there is no room for boasting.

Adapted from:
"The one hundred texts of the society for Irish Church Missions."
T.C. Hammond, Dublin. 1939