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The Most Misinterpreted Bible Verse

The Most Misinterpreted
Verse in the Bible:
Ephesians 2:8-9.

by Dr Matt Moody, Ph.D.

What is the correct interpretation of Ephesians 2:8-9? And how are Believers in Jesus Christ able to know the correct meaning of this most-misunderstood Bible verse? How can we know it is the interpretation that God intended, when the Apostle Paul wrote it?

Jesus implored:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...
LEARN OF ME [emphasis added]; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matt. 11:29-29).

In order to Learn of Jesus in the way He would have us Learn of Him, we must avoid "private interpretation," and let the "more sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19-21) establish God's intented Truth. Peter proclaimed:

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that take heed,
as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star
arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture
is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not
in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:19-21).

Being infinitely wise, an omniscient God set a standard by which we may know the meaning of particular Bible verses. Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul declared this standard:

"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word
be established" (2 Cor. 13:1; Matt. 18:16).

When there are questions about the meaning of a Bible verse, rather than speculating or leaning on one's personal logic (Proverbs 3:5-7)—or believing a traditional interpretation that has been accepted for centuries—we must first let the Bible clarify the Bible. Upon a foundation established by Christ and His Apostle for clarifying God's truth—here's the Most Misinterpreted Verse in the Bible:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

What the Savior said in the 15th chapter of the Gospel of John about Abiding in the True Vine is the central teaching that clarifies what Paul meant by the words: "and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." We will eventually discuss how Jesus clarifies the meaning of Paul's words; for now, let's focus on this statement:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith...
Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

The phrase "Not of works" is traditionally interpreted by some Christian religions as meaning: Human Action plays no role in bringing about salvation by "grace"—to include discounting Human Actions that the Son of God calls "good works" (Matt. 5:16).

Doctrinal Contradiction between New Testament Teachings

If the Apostle Paul used the word "works" to refer to any and all works, to include the "good works" (Matt. 5:16) that glorify God, then, we've got a doctrinal contradiction:

Because the teachings of Jesus disagree with the conclusion that: All Human Actions play no role in accessing the Grace that leads to Salvation. Here's one example, among others:

In Christ's parable of the Sheep and the Goat, the following faithful actions—accomplished through the "strength" (Mark 12:30) of physical deeds—are done by the "righteous" who shall go "into eternal life." And here are those faithful actions: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or in prison (Matt. 25:42-46).

Here's the doctrinal conflict: On the one hand, the Apostle Paul appears to say: "By grace are ye saved through faith... Not of [any and all] works."

But on the other hand, Christ taught that the good works of charitable service—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or in prison—are loving acts of the "righteous" who shall go "into eternal life."

It is clear the Savior's parable of the Sheep and the Goats describes Faithful Followers who Love God and Neighbor through actions accomplished by the "strength" (Mark 12:30) of physical deeds—and this is the "Human Action" that directly contradicts the conclusion that "good works" play no role in accessing Saving Grace.

Now, consider Paul's complete teaching: "By grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH [emphasis added]"—this means prominent interpretations of Ephesians 2:8-9 (that have been assumed correct for centuries) conclude that Human Actions of any kind, play no role in expressing Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, this misinterpretation of Eph. 2:8-9 incorrectly suggests that Faith is completely passive: it may be expressed by thoughts of the Mind, or intentions of the Heart, but allegedly Faith is not expressed by outward actions of Faithfulness.

And here's the problem with that conclusion:

First, this interpretation does not have "two or three witnesses" (2 Cor. 13:1; Matt. 18:16) including Jesus or another Bible prophet, to establish that: Human Acts of Faithfulness play no role in bringing about salvation by Grace through Faith.

To repeat, there is NOT a 2nd or 3rd witness in the Bible that says: Human Acts of Faithfulness play no role in bringing about salvation by Grace through Faith.

Second, certain traditional intepretations directly and obviously contradict the Apostle James's detailed definition of Faith, and they also contradict at least five teachings of Jesus that call for Human Acts of Faithfulness in order to be "saved" from sin, receive "eternal life," or enter "into the kingdom of heaven."


The Teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostle James

The Son of God and Savior of the world established these truths:

1) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22).

2) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

3) "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ... Jesus said unto him, ... come and follow me" (Matt. 19:16, 21).

4) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).

The previous Human Acts must be faithfully done, in order to be "saved" unto "eternal life" and "enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Add to these four teachings, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats where Human Acts that serve the "least of these" thru the "strength" of one's physical deeds of Charity—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or in prison—result in gaining "eternal life" (Matt. 25:42-46).

That makes five teachings of Jesus that contradict the traditional interpretation of Ephesians 2:8-9. Further, the assumption that Faithful Human Acts play no role in manifesting a believer's Faith in Jesus Christ is also contradicted by 12 verses in the 2nd Chapter of the General Epistle of James.

The following Bible verses define a Faith that is alive and active through the doing of good "works," in contrast to a Faith that is "dead," because that Faith expresses no "strength" (Mark 12:30) of active, physical "works."

1) "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not [good] works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:15-17).

2) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my [good] works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without [good] works is dead?" (James 2:18-20).

3) "Ye see then how that by [good] works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without [good] works is dead also" (James 2:24-26).

And what is the importance of this definition of Faith? Paul taught:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8)
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have
access by faith into this grace wherein we stand"
(Rom. 5:1-2).

Pay attention, and read this vital verse again:

"For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH [emphasis added]" (Eph. 2:8)
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have ACCESS BY FAITH [emphasis added]
into this grace wherein we stand"
(Rom. 5:1-2).

Expressing Faith in Jesus Christ IS how we "access" saving Grace! And clearly a Faith that "is dead" (James 2:17, 20, 26) cannot access saving Grace!

What Paul Intended to Say with the Words: "Not of Works"

What did Paul mean when he wrote: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; ... Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9)?

The answer to this question is discovered as Believers prayerfully read all of the writings of the New Testament, and thereby learn exactly who is likely to "boast" about "works"?

Paul clarified what he meant by the phrase "Not of works" in two epistles written before the epistle to the Ephesians; we simply need to find the Bible passages where Paul spoke of "boasting." Here is part of Paul's clarification:

In his epistle to the Galatian saints (A.D. 55-57) Paul taught that those who follow the Law of Moses, are the ones most likely to "boast," that they might "impress" others:

"Those who want to IMPRESS [emphasis added] others by means of the flesh
are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is
to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who
are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised
that they may BOAST [emphasis added] of your circumcision
in the flesh. May I never BOAST [emphasis added]
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"
(Gal. 6:12-14 NIV).

Before writing his epistle to the Ephesians (A.D. 60-62), Paul also wrote to the Romans (A.D. 57-59), and in this earlier epistle, Paul spoke of "works" and of "boasting."

"To demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as
to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Where then is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law?
The law that requires works [of Moses]? No, because
of the law that requires faith [in Jesus]. For
we maintain that a person is justified
by faith [in Jesus] apart from
the works of the law"
(Rom. 3:26-28 NIV).

Therefore, in Ephesians 2:8-9 the Apostle Paul's phrase "Not of works" means:

Not of the works of the law of Moses, lest any man should boast.

Further, to draw a clear contrast between the Dead Works of the Law of Moses versus the Living Works (a.k.a., "good works") of the "law of faith" (Rom. 3:27)—this is why Paul wrote these words immediately after the Most Misinterpreted Bible Verse:

"For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

Note in verse nine Paul spoke of "works" and then, in verse ten he spoke of "good works." This was to contrast the dead works of the law of Moses, compared to the good works of the law of faith in Jesus Christ—the new law where "boasting ... is excluded" (Rom. 3:26-28).

From the time that Christ established His New Testament, His New Law of Faith—from that point forward—keeping the Old Law of Moses could only result in "dead works" (Hebrews 9:14), that cannot access Grace!

The Interpretation that Saving Grace means Unmerited Favor ?

Exactly who is most "in charge" of the words and meanings within the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Would it be the Apostle Paul? Or would be be the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ?

In His Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Christ taught that the "righteous" shall go "into eternal life." Since the Son of God said it, we should simply believe it, because Jesus is the Divine Person through which His Gospel is primarily established.

Within the context of this parable, the "righteous" are those who show charity to "the least of these" by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or in prison—these are "good works" that glorify God and are works that manifest Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, according to the teachings of the Apostle James.

What is the meaning of the word "Grace"?

In the New Testament, the English word "Grace" is translated from the Greek word Charis (pronounced: khar'-ece), and Charis means: Loving Kindness.

And in the Old Testament, the English word "Grace" is translated from the Hebrew word Chen (pronounced khane), and Chen means: Favor.

Therefore, the English word "Grace" from its Greek and Hebrew origins means:
God's Favor and Loving Kindness.

The assumption that Saving Grace means Unmerited Favor comes from a "private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:19-21) of a Bible verse that does not have "two or three witnesses" (2 Cor. 13:1; Matt. 18:16) to confirm that: Salvation by Grace through Faith is granted by Unmerited Favor. Here are the words that imply that Grace means Unmerited Favor:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works"

Jesus clarified why all things, to include His Favor and Loving Kindness, are gifts. The Son of God said:

"I am the true vine ... Abide in me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing."
(John 15:1-5)

Thus, it is through Christ's Favor and Loving Kindness that we are fruitful, for without His generous and gracious gift, we "can do nothing." Still, to gain "access" to the fullness of God's Favor and Loving Kindness, we must abide in the True Vine.

In harmony with the teachings of Christ. the Apostle Paul endeavored to be a second witness to the following truths:

By God's Favor and Loving Kindness are ye saved through faith, for without
sustaining nurture of the True Vine ye can do nothing of our own self,
Thus, fruitfulness is given as a gift from the True Vine. And
fruitfulness unto eternal salvation is only accessed
through the free-will choice to abide and
faithfully endure in the True Vine.

Accessing Saving Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ

While you and I do not merit or earn the Grace of God, still, we can only "access" (Rom. 5:1-2) Saving Grace through Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

As established by what the Savior taught and by what His Apostle James taught, presented previously, Faith in Jesus Christ is not passive; instead, Faith in Jesus Christ is actively manifest by being Faithful to Christ's Word and Example.

Jesus confirmed that Belief and Faith in Him, are inseparable from Faithfully Following Him. The Savior said:

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me,
the works that I do will he do also" (John 14:12 NKJV).

"For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who DOES THE TRUTH [emphasis added]
comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have
been DONE IN GOD [emphasis added]" (John 3:20-21 NKJV).

On the theme of Faith and Love manifest by Human Acts, the Apostle Paul adds this witness:

"We through the Spirit wait for
the hope of righteousness by faith.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but
FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE [emphasis added]"
(Gal. 5:5-6).

Faith works as Believers obey God's commandments—the greatest of which are to Love God and neighbor with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the free-will choice to "obey" results in "eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:9)—a choice to "obey" that is primarily motived by love of God, and is actively manifest by keeping the Lord's commandments:

"If ye love me, keep my commandments"
(John 14:15).

Therefore, Faith, Love, and Truth are not Passive Gospel Principles; they are NOT merely passively thought of or spoken, they are also actively and outwardly done:

As demonstrated in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, charity—the pure love of Christ—given to "the least of these" is not merely manifest by thoughts or spoken words, but by faithful Human Acts, done with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" (Mark 12:30).

Those who believe in God's Son will faithfully follow Him! Jesus implores: "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22; John 21:22; Mark 10:21; Matt. 19:21). True Believers who are faithful will honor and obey Christ's sweet invitation to follow Him.

And when the time of judgment comes, who will receive the resurrection of life?

"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming,
in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have DONE GOOD [emphasis added],
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).

What Christ calls "done good," is accomplished through obedience to Christ's new Law of Faith; obedience that is necessary to bringing forth the "good fruit ... of eternal salvation"—according to the teachings of Jesus and of His Apostle Paul:

"Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience
by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect,
He became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Jesus taught:

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and
he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him"
(John 3:36).

Therefore, will those who "believeth not the Son" actually receive unmerited saving grace? According to Jesus, the unbelieiving will NOT be saved by amazing grace. John the Revelator foretold the consequence that will come to those who do not believe, and refuse to obey the Lord's Commandments:

"They who overcome shall inherit all things,
and I will be their God and they shall be My children.
But the cowardly, THE UNBELIEVING [emphasis added], the vile,
the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic
arts, the idol worshippers and ALL LIARS [emphasis added]
shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire
and brimstone, which is the second death"
(Revelation 21:7-8).

Those who believe in the Son will faithfully obey Him and follow Him! Again, Jesus implores: "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22; John 21:22; Mark 10:21; Matt. 19:21)—a gospel truth and invitation that has four witnesses in the New Testament.

Remember, Jesus was NOT born of Mary to save His people IN THEIR SINS:

"And [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou
shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his
people FROM THEIR SINS [emphasis added]."
(Matt. 1:21).

* * * * *

* * * * *

"For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH [emphasis added];
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"
(Eph. 2:8).

Again, we "access" God's Saving Grace through faith in our Lord and Savior. And "abiding in the true vine" is the foundational way we manifest faith in Jesus Christ.

Notice how the alleged "Free Ticket to Heaven" is simply given by Grace alone, with no mention of the words "through faith." This is just one among many misinterpretations originating from the Most Misinterpreted Verse in the Bible: Ephesians 2:8-9.

The words "through faith" affirm what Jesus taught:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)

Believing in Jesus, having Faith in Him, means that we must "follow his steps" (1 Pet. 2:21). For, if there is no "Following" there is no Faith!

We must have an active and living Faith in Jesus Christ to be saved by God's Grace. As the Apostle James taught: "faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone" (James 2:15-17)"—and "dead" faith has no access to Saving Grace.

Related Articles:
Covenant Context of Salvation
Faith in Christ: Our Side of the Saving Covenant
Faithfulness in Following the Savior Opens Access to God's Grace
Solving Bible Conundrum created by Misinterpretation of the Epistles of Paul

The Journey

For this is the Journey that mortals make:
To find themselves. If they fail in this, it matters little
whatever else they may achieve: Money, Fame, Revenge, Pleasure.
When they end the Journey, they can put them all into
a bin marked "ashes." They mean nothing.
But if one has found that she has within her
a divine soul, if she has discovered the principles
upon which the fulfillment of that soul is based, and
if she implements those principles, then she has a mansion
within which she can live with dignity
and joy each day of her life.

* * * * * * *

The Greatest Prize
for Life's labors isn't
in material possessions
or impressive accomplishments,
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You labor for your own becoming, this is your richest reward.
Who You Become is your greatest possession,
make it your Masterpiece!
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Social Psychologist & Personal Advisor