Saved By Grace Alone!

Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther ignited the Reformation by challenging the Catholic Church’s teachings on salvation. At the heart of his protest was the Biblical truth that we are saved by grace alone through faith, not by works, indulgences, or human effort. Luther’s study of Paul’s letters, especially Ephesians, revealed that God justifies sinners as a gift through Christ—a radical departure from the Catholic doctrine of earning grace through sacraments and deeds. This post explores Ephesians 2:1-10, exegeting the passage, unpacking key terms from the original Greek using the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible, and addressing the question: Are we truly saved by grace alone?

What Is the Biblical Idea of Grace?

Grace is central to the Gospel, but what does it mean Biblically? In Scripture, grace is God’s undeserved gift of power and ability, flowing from His character of love and mercy. It’s not just kindness or a passive favor; it’s God’s transformative power that rescues us from sin and death, empowering us to live for Him.

Consider Titus 2:11-12 (ESV):

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

Here, grace actively trains us—teaching and enabling us to reject sin and embrace holiness. This is something we could never achieve on our own.

Paul’s experience in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) further illuminates this:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Grace is equated with God’s power, sufficient to sustain us in our weakness. It’s not a reward for strength but a gift for the helpless.

Finally, John 1:14, 16 (ESV) ties grace to Christ:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

Jesus embodies grace—God’s power and favor poured out through His life, death, and resurrection. Grace is forgiveness, transformation, and an invitation to live in God’s love, all given freely to the undeserving.

The Doctrine of Grace Alone in Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10 is a cornerstone for understanding salvation by grace alone. Let’s exegete this passage step-by-step, highlighting key Greek terms and their implications.

Our Hopeless Condition (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV):

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

“Dead in the trespasses and sins” (v. 1):

The Greek word for “dead” is nekros (νεκρός), meaning lifeless or incapable of response. Spiritually, we were corpses—unable to seek or please God. “Trespasses” (paraptomata, παραπτώματα) means deviations or crossing God’s boundaries, portraying us as rebels. “Sins” (hamartiai, ἁμαρτίαι) means missing the mark of God’s perfect standard, marking us as failures. Together, these terms show our utter helplessness.

“Following the course of this world… prince of the power of the air” (v. 2):

We lived under the influence of the world’s system and Satan, the “prince of the power of the air.” This title reflects his authority over the spiritual realm opposing God. Our lifestyle (walked, peripateo, περιπατέω) aligned with this rebellion.

“By nature children of wrath” (v. 3):

“Nature” (physis, φύσις) indicates our inherent state from birth. We didn’t just commit sins; we were sinners, deserving God’s wrath (orge, ὀργή), His righteous anger against sin.

This paints a grim picture: spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, Satan, and self, with no ability to save ourselves.

God’s Gracious Intervention (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV):

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved 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.”

“But God” (v. 4):
These two words shift everything. Despite our deadness, God acts. “Rich in mercy” (polus eleos, πολὺς ἔλεος) and “great love” (pollen agapen, πολλὴν ἀγάπην) reveal His character—abundant compassion and affection driving His rescue plan.

“Made us alive together with Christ” (v. 5):
Synezoopoiesen (συνεζωοποίησεν) means co-quickened or made alive with Christ. This is resurrection power, tied to Jesus’ victory over death. “By grace you have been saved” introduces charis (χάρις), God’s undeserved favor and power, as the sole means of this life.

“Raised us up… seated us” (v. 6):
Synegeiren (συνήγειρεν) and synekathisen (συνεκάθισεν) mean co-raised and co-seated. Our position is now with Christ in the “heavenly places” (epouranios, ἐπουράνιος), a realm of spiritual authority and identity.

“Immeasurable riches of his grace” (v. 7):
Hyperballon ploutos tes charitos (ὑπερβάλλον πλοῦτος τῆς χάριτος) suggests grace beyond measure, displayed eternally. Salvation isn’t just a past event; it’s a present reality and future promise.

God’s love and mercy initiate salvation, transforming us from death to life, all by His grace.

Salvation by Grace Through Faith (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV):

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

“By grace… through faith” (v. 8):
Charis (χάρις) is the source; pistis (πίστις), faith or trust, is the channel. “Saved” (sesosmenoi, σεσῳσμένοι) is a perfect participle—salvation is a completed action with ongoing results. Faith isn’t a work we muster; it’s reliance on God’s gift.

“Not your own doing… gift of God” (v. 9):
Salvation (doron, δῶρον) is entirely God’s initiative. “Works” (erga, ἔργα) refers to human efforts, which play no role in earning it. This eliminates boasting (kauchaomai, καυχάομαι), ensuring glory goes to God alone.

“His workmanship… for good works” (v. 10):
Poiema (ποίημα) means masterpiece or creation—we’re God’s artwork, remade in Christ. “Good works” (ergois agathois, ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς) are the fruit of salvation, not the root. God proetoimasen (προετοίμασεν), prepared them beforehand, showing His sovereign plan.

This passage declares salvation as God’s work from start to finish—by grace, through faith, for His glory.

Martin Luther and the Importance of Grace Alone

Martin Luther’s journey to this truth was personal and profound. As a monk, he was tormented by guilt, striving to earn God’s favor through confession, fasting, and penance. The Catholic Church taught that grace came through sacraments and works, but Luther found no peace in this system. His breakthrough came through Scripture, especially Paul’s letters. In Ephesians 2, he saw that righteousness isn’t achieved but granted by God’s grace alone.

Luther rejected the Catholic idea of grace as a reward for human effort. Instead, he proclaimed it as a one-sided gift—God justifying sinners through Christ’s finished work. This doctrine, part of the Five Solas (Sola Gratia, grace alone; Sola Fide, faith alone; Solus Christus, Christ alone; Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone; Soli Deo Gloria, to God’s glory alone), liberated him and countless others from performance-based religion.

For Luther, grace alone didn’t mean moral laziness. It empowered transformation, producing good works as evidence of God’s power within. It offered security—salvation rests on God’s unchanging grace, not our fickle efforts.

Are We Saved by Grace Alone?

So, are we saved by grace alone? Scripture says yes, but context matters. Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.” Grace (charis) is the sole power behind salvation, not human merit. Yet, grace doesn’t operate in isolation. Faith (pistis) is the means of receiving it, Christ is the mediator, Scripture reveals it, and God’s glory is the goal. The Five Solas interlock like a body’s vital organs—distinct yet inseparable.

• Grace Alone (Sola Gratia): Salvation’s source is God’s power, not ours.

• Faith Alone (Sola Fide): We receive it by trusting God, not earning it.

• Christ Alone (Solus Christus): Jesus is the only way to salvation.

• Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura): The Bible is the authoritative guide.

• To God’s Glory Alone (Soli Deo Gloria): All praise belongs to Him.

Saying “grace alone” doesn’t mean faith or Christ are optional. Just as the heart, lungs, and brain work together, these truths form a unified gospel. Grace is the foundation, but it flows through faith in Christ, guided by Scripture, for God’s glory.

God’s Way of Reconciliation in Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10 outlines our reconciliation to God—past, present, and future.

The Need for Reconciliation (vv. 1-3)

We were “dead in trespasses and sins,” rebels (paraptomata) and failures (hamartiai), enslaved to the world, Satan, and flesh. As “children of wrath,” we faced God’s judgment. Reconciliation was impossible by our power.

The Process of Reconciliation (vv. 4-7)

Past: “Made us alive together with Christ” (v. 5). God’s mercy and love intervened when we were dead, raising us with Jesus.

Present: “Seated us with him in the heavenly places” (v. 6). We now have a new identity and authority in Christ.

Future: “In the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace” (v. 7). God’s grace will unfold eternally.

The Summary of Reconciliation (vv. 8-10)

Salvation is “by grace… through faith,” a gift excluding works and boasting. We’re God’s poiema, created for good works—evidence of grace, not a means to earn it.

Conclusion

Ephesians 2:1-10 unequivocally teaches that we are saved by grace alone—a gift from God received through faith. This grace rescues us from spiritual death, transforms us into His masterpiece, and empowers us for good works He prepared. Luther’s stand on grace alone corrected centuries of error, freeing believers from striving and securing us in God’s love.

The Five Solas together paint the full picture: grace as the power, faith as the channel, Christ as the mediator, Scripture as the guide, and God’s glory as the end. We marvel at this grace—undeserved, sufficient, and eternal—resting in its freedom and living as His workmanship, to the praise of His glorious charis.