Eph 2:8-10 What profound yet simple gospel truth does Paul proclaim here?

The simple gospel truth Paul proclaims here is that salvation is by grace through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no convoluted meaning to it that only those whom God has predestined to salvation can exercise this faith, as some would have us believe. God's invitation to salvation goes out to all, and all anyone has to do to be saved is to respond affirmatively to the call (CP De 30:15-20; Isa 1:18-20; 45:22; 55:1-7; Jer 3:12-13; 4:1-4; 6:16; 25:4-7; Eze 18:20-23; 33:10-12; Hos 10:12; Joel 2:12-14; Amos 5:4-9; Zeph 2:1-3; Zech 1:3-4; Mal 3:7; Mt 11:28-30; Mk 1:14-15; Jn 4:10-14; 6:27-29, 35-37; Ac 3:19-26; 16:30-31; Rev 21:6; 22:17).

While salvation is the gift of God, God does not predetermine who He will or will not save. No one can get saved however on the basis of any good they have done in their pre-conversion life. Otherwise they could boast about themselves (CP Ro 4:1-5; 11:6).

Once they are saved though, God expects believers to do good (CP Eph 2:10 with Mt 5:16; Jn 15:8; Php 2:12-13; 2Ti 3:17; Tit 2:14; Jas 2:14-26).

See also comments on Ro 10:14-17, Eph 1:3-6 and 1:11-14 and author's study The Doctrine of Grace in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).

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