The message and meaning Ephesians 2:10
The message of Ephesians 2:10 is about the purpose of our lives and why He saved us. The proper meaning of this passage salvation tells us why we need to be excited about God’s will. His will for us is to be save.
2 Peter 3: 9 highlights that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”
He desires that all should come to repentance. We are his masterpiece so He wants to show us His glorious grace and the He chose to display it in. However, He does not want to only show us the great riches of His salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ but as well as what happens after salvation. How humbling it is to work out our own salvation.
This is one of the things written for us to do. We are saved by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our transgressions and not by our good works. We are saved by His good works before we are called to do ours. This does not mean that we are not called to do good works in Christ.
God gave us a free gift of life. He already has plans for our lives and what to do with our lives. God has a unique plan for each of us such as spiritual gifts and work of the Holy Spirit to lead us to serve Him.
The wonderful truth is that it is only by the grace of God that we have been saved. We have salvation and access to that genuine salvation is only through faith, not of ourselves, lest we boast, for salvation is a free gift of God’s grace.
We must never forget that it is only by God’s grace that we have been saved. It is only by God’s grace that we have salvation, and we access that salvation through faith. For by grace, we are saved, through faith and not of ourselves, lest we boast, for salvation is a gift of God’s grace.
We are God’s workmanship made by Jesus Christ for the purpose of doing the good works and good acts prepared for us by God even before we were born.
The good works and action can only be accomplished through our new life in Christ Jesus which is to be guided by the Holy Spirit working through and in us so that the works that I do are not of me but by my new nature in Christ Jesus.
How glorious it is that we are absolutely His masterpiece, created in Christ for His good works.
God did not just design our bodies, He also designed our situations. Our concerns should be what God wants and not what we want. If you know who you are in Christ then you will not desire to be someone else.
‘You are original’ Why would you want to be a duplicate? An example is the story of Nehemiah. The king gave him many things such as cash building materials etc. and assisted Him in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. God can do anything, use anything, and use anyone.
Believers are God’s handiwork and we need to understand the appropriate order of how God works. We do not get anything from God by working for it, because in His eyes we all are totally corrupt. We deserve nothing but hell. It is by His grace and mercy that He saved us.
True transformation produces active faith. The starting point of salvation is grace, the effect of salvation is works. James 2:26 reminds us that
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”
This is because true faith in Christ always produces good works. There is a difference between cause and effect, but many people constantly get this muddled. God has prepared works for us to walk, Even though the works of God are the effect of salvation.
Therefore, salvation totally rests on God, regardless of where it comes from, either from His grace or what He produces by grace.
It is very vital to understand the place of works in the Christian journey. The outcome of works is the grace of God upon our lives and being a believer must change our behaviour.
“For we are His workmanship” meaning
“For we are His workmanship” means we are his art piece, His handiwork. He has a plan for our lives that He already designed.
God has shaped our lives, personalities, dreams, and backgrounds. This is the work of a craftsman. He designed us and takes full responsibility for who we are. When you feel less important, then you would be in doubt of God’s excellent workmanship.
God is our craftsman, we should be proud that we are His masterpiece because He has His purpose in making us. Apostle Paul mentioned that in verse 8-9;
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Those who received grace through faith should be the same people who should know without doubt that we are His handwork and that He designed us.
God did not design our bodies but the whole of our situation. Absolutely, it is right to get His work done which is the attitude we are required to have. You can enjoy who you are with your limitations, challenges, scars, etc. because He knew you before He formed you.
Jeremiah 1: 5 says;
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Whether you are young or old, you can trust God for your future because He knows the end from the beginning.
The scriptures say in John 1:3 “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made”
We must not be limited by our capabilities or possessions before doing what is need to do. Those will not stop God from doing what He wants to do through our lives. Just focus on what He wants you to do.
If you were to be designed by a scientist, then we would have the right to worry. This is because some mistakes might have been made or might have had a limited purpose. However, God calls you His workmanship. Place your confidence in His work in your life.
Psalm 139: 14 tells us; “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well”
According to His design for us, He is an expert craftsman who makes no mistakes in design or built.
You can feel your faith get stronger or stronger urge to serve Him. Focus on His will and design for your lives instead of your own abilities filled with problems. If you have been saved, you should then ask the Lord what He desires you to do.
Just as Paul who was converted asked God what He would have him do after his experience on his way to Damascus Acts 22:10 says;
“And I said, what shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do”
The Lord told him all that had been appointed for him to do. He already had a prepared plan for Paul’s future ministry even though before then Paul who was formerly known as Saul persecuted the Christians unaware that he would become an Apostle in the future. Paul had to learn God’s plan and walk in it. What an awesome God we serve.
“Created in Christ Jesus for good works” meaning.
“Created in Christ Jesus for good works” means God has appointed us for good works.
As His masterpiece, we are to ask what His will is and how we are to know His will. At creation, Christ was there at the beginning because all things were made, and in Him was life according to John 1: 3-4;
“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men”
Also, when we were made new by the Holy Spirit and our regeneration in Christ Jesus were created anew according to 2 Corinthians 5:17;
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”
This was achieved in Christ in his finished work. Our Lord Jesus came to restore all that was lost in the garden. That is, we as new creations saved by Christ Jesus, filled with the Holy Ghost be able to function as man was meant to function; as a thinking reasoning being, chasing life for the glory of God and doing the good things He called us to do for the good of the world and for the expansion of His Kingdom.
This is part of the opportunity of eternal life and being bearers of the divine nature.
Philippians 2:13 tells us “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”
We have been saved for the purpose which is for good works. As earlier said, Salvation is not dependent on us but on Him. Good works are our willingness for Christ to live out His life through our life and not our good efforts. Since Christ lives in us, He wants us to continue doing good works as He did while on earth. This is God’s great love.
The scripture tells us in John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you”
The same Holy Spirit that fills us is the same as Christ living in us.
God already had the design of what He wanted before He made us. If God had prepared the good works before our lives began, then we should be rest assured that we can trust Him for our design to accomplish them.
We need not be afraid of challenges or battles, He will give us grace if we must fight because our faith is in Him His design, and His appointed work. He only allows us to see our needed activities at the appropriate time.
As a sound of warning, it is very vital and advantageous to us as believers to search out for these good works. No matter how big or small, we should be ready and busy doing them. As much as God has appointed us good works, there is an enemy somewhere standing to oppose it as he did Jesus Christ.
It is imperative for us to know that we must always be in shape as God’s workman, prepared to do God’s will as the body of Christ.
Every responsible athlete practices day in and out way in order to keep fit, and build muscles before the big event. If they were not practicing, they would not even dream of being a candidate in the first place.
You must be willing to be trained or shaped. As a believer, how consistent are you in your prayer life? How often are you on the go for Christ evangelizing? All these things might look so simple but they are essential as they fit slowly building up our confidence in how God can work in our lives.
Start from the little things like opening the door for someone, or picking up someone else’s trash. These are all good works. We are not meant to yield to the desires of the flesh but to do His good works.
Be like Dorcas in Acts 9:36 named Tabitha meaning full of good works and acts of charity.
David was a shepherd boy who cared for his father’s sheep before he cared for a whole nation. He also fought lions and bears before he was able to bring down Goliath, the uncircumcised Philistine. No one knows what good works God has planned for us. Therefore, we must focus on the one at hand and then, trust Him for those that are coming.
Keep your faith alive because only God knows what those works are and will put your heart into them. Do not imagine things for Him because He works with and through your life.
Look back at your salvation and remember the good works God has designed for you to do when faced with challenges.
“Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them “meaning.
“Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” means God already had a good design for our lives to walk in them.
Paul’s letters to the Romans in Romans 9:23 says,
“In order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory”
God not only predestined our salvation but the works that follow. God’s absolute plan does not stop with salvation, it also includes the life of godliness leading to final glorification. If God did not only plan our salvation before the foundation of the world and also our good works, Then, we do not have any ground to boast in any that we do for Christ.
When we have this in our consciousness, we will recognize that predestination exists because it gives all glory to God and not us.
It is our genuine faith in God and good works that always work together. Works do not save, they easily flow from a genuine relationship with God.
Genuine faith in God and good works always go together. Works do not save, but they naturally flow from a legitimate relationship with Christ.
James 2: 25 says;
“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”
The book of Joshua talks about good works. God has arranged them for us to do and He will guide us in the right direction. Just like Joshua, He has advised us to fear not if we stay close to Him. As believers, we must start doing the good works God has ordained for us in other to fulfill our purpose.
He has all our lives planned out because He cares about His glory and getting His plans done.
We must turn to God’s purpose for us so that those things He has planned for us as individuals, families, and as a church are not only thought of but also implemented. It is through these works that we are able to express our appreciation for our salvation. Therefore, glorify God through the good works He has put in our paths.
We are created in the image of God and in His likeness for a purpose. That purpose is nothing but great!
Paul, the apostle tells us that “we are His workmanship created by Christ Jesus”. The word workmanship means a work of art or handiwork. This refers to a “masterpiece” Apostle Paul’s argument is that we (God’s children) are His masterpiece.
The Greek word for “Workmanship” is called Poiema which means Poem and Poetry in English words. “Poiema” means something made, something made by God Himself. Whatever is made by God is beautiful, valuable, and blessed. We are not to be downtrodden by men but by the light of the world. Light that cannot be hidden but a force to be reckoned with.
We are absolutely the result of God’s productive, redemptive, and sanctifying work. We are His handiwork created by God, for God, and in God, created for the purpose of His action.
The term “Workmanship” means more than the product of creation; it also refers to the extent of skill with which the product is made. That degree of skill imparts value to the thing made.
We must first realize that we are saved by grace and not by ourselves which is the foundation of our lives, only then can we take time to consider what we might do as God’s masterpiece or workmanship. We are created for great works, “which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Who wrote Ephesians 2:10 and when was it written?
Ephesians 2:10 was written by Apostle Paul around AD 60-62
What is the context of Ephesians 2:10?
The context of Ephesians 2- 10 is about God’s creative power in putting forth His abilities to achieve something. We are the clay while God is the potter. He molds us into what He desires. Psalm 138:8 tells us;
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.”
We are safe in God’s hands and He is concerned in all that matters to us. He will ensure that none of His “masterpieces” fail completion. One cannot fully understand this verse without reading the previous verses Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”
When we were born, we were spiritually dead to our sins, we were products of fallen creation spiritually and was a slave to sin.
What is the difference in biblical translations of Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV biblical translation
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”
Ephesians 2:10 KJV biblical translation
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”
Ephesians 2:10 18:22 NIV biblical translation
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”
Ephesians 2:10 18:22 ESV biblical translation
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”
There is no difference in the four translations between NKJV, KJV, NIV, and ESV
The four translations are written almost the same and have the same meaning.
How do I apply Ephesians 2:10 to my life?
Applying Ephesians 2:10 to my life is to always seek God for what He wants us to do rather than doing it all by ourselves. We should not engage in any service, project, or good deed without first waiting on Him as to what He wants us to do. He is the Lord and are His servants seeking to do His will.
These good works are talking about a lifelong process. As long as we are saved, the direction of our lives should be to walk on the path of obedience to God in all things.
Good work is not what we play about in our spare time when we have nothing to do. Rather, serving God must become the anchor of our life in any situation. As Christians, must seek to serve God in accordance with our gifts and desires in every challenge of life.
Our Christian life must be worthy of emulation, and must be able to serve God anywhere and everywhere we find ourselves, at work, with families and friends. We should be able to serve God there.
If God has saved you by grace, then He has saved you for a life of good works. He does not save anyone to live for themselves or by themselves. His desire is for everyone who has tasted His grace to engage in a life of good works.
Therefore, if you have not been engaging in His works, you need to profess your self-seeking lifestyle to the Lord and seek Him for how He wants you to serve Him.
However, the fact that God predestines these works does not exclude us from responsibility. We must engage actively in good works.
In addition, God’s word tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:13;
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit”
We are members of the same body, each to perform his role but we must work in cooperation and coordination with other members of the body. This is the corporate aspect of the good works.
There is no difference between the Jews and the Greeks, circumcised and uncircumcised, free or slave as Christ is Lord of all. The local church ought to be multi-cultural and multi-racial. We need to learn to work together more closely in the local church because Christ is the head of the church. As members of the body, we need to work and think interdependently.
What is Ephesians 2:10 Prayer?
Dear Lord, we thank You for preparing good works for us and using us for Your glory. We appreciate You were saved unto good works. Thank You because we were created for greatness, we are not ordinary but we are destined for greatness.
My Father and God, We thank You for making us Your Handiwork. We appreciate You that we were not saved by good works but by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We pray that our lives will live to serve You graciously in the works You have prepared for us to do.
My Creator, we pray that You guide us always on how best to use our talents, efforts, and time. Guide us and let every one of our actions reflect you. Teach us to recognize Your will when they come into our lives and help us to live for you without doubt.
Grant us the boldness to share Your word by faith. We pray that You perform Your creative work in us thereby, making us useful for Your service. This we pray in Jesus name. AMEN
Conclusion
We are God’s workmanship, His creature, and His handiwork. We were born in sins, a fallen creation with no hope, help comfort, or peace in the world, and the result works would be death. We were under the power of Satan. God, being so full of grace, mercy, and loving-kindness, He loved us, regardless of our sins, He gave us a new life in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
When Christ was raised from the dead, our old life was exchanged by God for our new life in Christ. When Christ died, we died, and when He was risen, we also were raised from death into the newness of life.
We are now new creatures. Verses 5-9 tells us;
“Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”
Therefore, we must not forget that it is only by God’s grace that we have been saved and not by ourselves. It is by His grace that we have salvation and this salvation can only be accessed through faith. We have not been raised into newness of life for no reason or purpose.
We are God’s art piece made in Christ Jesus so that we may be able to perform the strange works and strange acts God has prepared for us to do even before we were born.
These acts and works of God cannot be done by our old sinful nature before we were saved, it can only be performed through our new life in Christ which must be guided by the Holy Spirit working in and through us.
God wants us to be active in good works. This is part of God’s predestined plan as anything else is and the good works are valid evidence that we are walking as one of God’s chosen
How gracious it is that we are His craftsmanship, created in Christ for His good works which God Himself prepared so that we would walk in them.