Welcome to the 7 PASSAGES Study Guide! #1 Ephesians 2:8-10
2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Here are some discussion questions to get your brain in gear:
Questions:
Exactly why do people need to be saved? Saved from what?
(If your answer has something to do with sin, then explain how, why and so what).
Why is belief necessary? Can forgiveness be undone?
Is God gracious to everyone? Exactly what is the object of faith?
What happens when someone believes?
What is the relationship between faith and works?
Exactly why do people need to be saved? Saved from what?
(If your answer has something to do with sin, then explain how, why and so what).
Why is belief necessary? Can forgiveness be undone?
Is God gracious to everyone? Exactly what is the object of faith?
What happens when someone believes?
What is the relationship between faith and works?
The previous page, Introduction To The 7 Passages, is a better place to start, and a good resource if you get lost. That page contains the other seven passages.
CONTENTS
The first section of this post is the "official guide". It has all seven levels of study. You will profit from just doing the first two. Get all seven and get a gold star!
Use control F to jump to the section you want.
The second section is a Topical Study on Good Works called Good Works, Good Glory from a Truthbase.net sermon outline. There also is an accompanying audio of the sermon, if you need help in getting to sleep. The outline gives you some key verses to ponder. If you can't figure out the point (they are designed, for the most part, to be self-explanatory with a little thought), grab some coffee and play the audio.
The third section was designed for a group of young high school students (the X-Men, as in eXegetical, not mutant) who eventually went on to become national level debaters (well, maybe they were a little mutant). It should suffice to get your feet wet and into the method without teaching you any bad habits. It does get a little technical. It has a slightly different outline, but the definitive one is in the material above in the first section. I have included it for those of you who might not grasp a point in the first guide.The group had already been taught how to observe (see 50 Observations on Acts 1:8 on Truthbase.net) and how to outline (see "The Dick and Jane Story" on YouTube).
The fourth section of this post was designed as a note-taking guide during a walk-through of the process for adults who have some Bible Study experience. It shows you an example of a layout and outline. There should be an audio walk-through on Truthbase.net, but don't listen to it unless you've tried your own outline and are totally lost (and a glutton for punishment). The 7 Passages Introduction should better prepare you to jump right in.
Soli Deo gloria!
7 Passages: Your Relationship with God in SALVATION
Ephesians 2:8-10 © 2013 WF Cobb Truthbase.net
Eph 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." NKJV
Eph 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." NIV
LEVEL ONE:
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
Why do people need to be saved? Saved from what?
Why is belief necessary? Can forgiveness be undone?
Is God gracious to everyone? Exactly what is the object of faith?
What happens when someone believes?
What is the relationship between faith and works?
What kind of works do you have to do, and how much?
What other questions come to mind as you read the above passage? Jot them down.
Your mission is to study and outline Ephesians 2:8-10 and answer the above questions.
In the process you want to acquire the skills that will equip you for a lifetime of understanding God's word and helping others do the same. The most benefit of any study is what you learn and discover on your own. If you haven't invested ten minutes in "The Dick and Jane Story" on YouTube (10MinuteBible.com) you'll get lost in what follows.
LEVEL TWO:
If you read the Introduction you know that being a Sleuth for the Truth means you need to Study the Bible like Sherlock 'Olmes.
Observe – what is actually written, the facts, or data from which you'll draw your conclusions.
List Questions/Layout – draw a map of the passage (diagram or mechanical layout so you can trace the flow of the argument). Then ask yourself all the questions you want to answer about the passage.
Mystery Solve – answer your questions using the facts you've observed and discovered.
Exegetical Outline – capture the progression of ideas in a passage in Subject-Complement form.
Searchlight On Your Life – determine how God intends the Truth to meet the needs of your life.
OBSERVATION: See what's written. Look up words to understand them better. Jot down questions.
Start OBSERVATION: What do I see?
The best way to observe what is written is to dissect the passage like you would a specimen in biology lab, spreading it out on the bench and seeing how the parts are connected. Fortunately we don't need something soaked in formaldehyde. Just go to BibleGateway, BereanBible, Biblos, theWord, or my favorite for easy use, the OnlineBible (OLB), and copy the text from your favorite non-interpretative version. Try using the NKJV (based on the Majority Text) as the base text, and modify it as your understanding develops. The OnlineBible is keyed to KJV, so you'll automatically compare it to that version as you study. NASB, HCSB, ESV, NIV and NET are also good for comparing, but the last two tend to get a little too interpretative, (although the NIV nails the meaning of verse 8 with a judicious comma, it loses points for violating the grammar with its flagrant dash. After you understand the passage this NIV comment will make total sense).
Observation Step 1: Layout the passage:
Put each clause/phrase on a line, indented over or under what it modifies.
Underline the verbs. Put major verbs in boldface.
Put words added by the translators (either no Strong's number or not in an Interlinear) in italics.
If you encounter multiple possible meanings from different translations, include them in the text with a slash between, i.e., deeds/works. Eventually you'll settle on the “best” interpretation.
TIP: If you have trouble identifying the verbs just pull up the passage in the OnlineBible and click on STRONG's numbers. The words with two sets of numbers after them are the verbs. Click on the second number and up pops the parsing. Participles (words ending in “ing”, like running) and infinitives (verbs preceded by “to” as in “to run”) are NOT usually considered main verbs, but are subordinate to them. If you're a visual person, learn how to diagram the sentences; it's really helpful sometimes, but not usually necessary.
How to: Pull up the passage in OnlineBible, hit Control-S or click on the S# toggle, and you've got Strong's Numbers. Click on the number and you get Thayer's Lexicon. In Biblos.com, go to either the Interlinear or Lexicon tab and click on the number.
Time Saving Tip: Copy and paste your original layout twice at the bottom of your file after you put in the 8a, 8b, 8c, etc. That way you'll always be working directly from the text, and won't leave anything out.
Observation Step 2: Indent modifiers under or over what they modify, indicating the relationships between clauses/phrases.
Start identifying main verb clauses and breaks in thought which will become major outline points.
Ask: 1. What's he talking about? (Subject of the verse, not the subject of the sentence.)
2. What is he saying about the Subject? (Complement of the Subject.)
Mini-Grammar Lesson: Subject-Complement statements are explained more in the "Introduction". If the verse is just one sentence, the Subject of the verse will be the same as the subject of the sentence. From the "Introduction" or "The Dick and Jane Story" on Youtube, you should know that VP stands for Verbal Proposition, and MVP is for Major Verbal Proposition. A proposition is usually a statement of fact that will be discussed. Sometimes the MVP is called a VIP, Verbal Independent Proposition, (or Very Important Phrase), because it can stand alone as a sentence (verb plus implied subject at a minimum), independent of any modifiers. An SVP is a Subordinate Verbal Proposition; it cannot stand alone or be a sentence by itself; it is usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction.
Lesson Recap: VP=a clause that contains a Verb and is a Proposition; it might be a SVP or MVP.
SVP=Subordinate Verbal Proposition, modifies another VP.
VIP=Very Important Phrase, the major thing author is communicating. If he could only say one thing, this would be it (usually). Can stand alone as a sentence, hence a Verbal Independent Proposition aka MVP.
Here is the passage in a mechanical layout.
8 For
8a by grace
8b you have been saved =MVP
8c through faith
8d and that is not of yourselves =VP (ellipsis, the verb “to be” is understood)
8e it is the gift of God, =SVP (ellipsis, the verb “to be” is understood)
9a and It is not of works, =SVP (ellipsis, the verb “to be” is understood)
9b y..............z...lest anyone should boast =VP
10 For
10a we are His workmanship, =MVP (of this verse; subordinate to v8 or v9 or vv8-9)
10b created in Christ Jesus =VP (it's a participle, thus subordinate; see OLB)
10c y..........z. for good works,
10d x..........y..........z..which God prepared beforehand SVP (relative clause subordinates)
10e w.........x..........y........z..that we should walk in them. SVP (see explanation below v10e)
What's with the w.........x..........y........z..? It's just of way of showing that 10e could modify any of four different clauses/phrases. 10C could modify 10a (y) or 10b (z). You don't need to do this, but eventually it will be obviously helpful.
LEVEL THREE:
Observation Step 3: Significant Observations – See and understand what's there.
Look up what you don't understand in a dictionary or Lexicon.
The STRUCTURE of the passage has only one major bugaboo in v8, and a few minor ones in v10. The major task will be understanding the meanings of the words, and how they link together.
Pep Talk: This is almost a mini Greek grammar lesson but don't freak out. But you can say “It's Greek to me.” You don't need to memorize anything or even know all the grammatical observations listed below, but it does provide the rationale for why the passage is interpreted as it is in the Exegetical Outline. Eventually you'll want to know more to get a better understanding. You can find out most of this with just a click of the mouse on OLB or theWord.net or Biblos.com.
v8 For – starts with a subordinating conjunction, gar, which introduces a subordinate clause (The Complement) which “gives a reason” for something up above (Subject of the Subject-Complement statement).
v8a by grace – a prepositional phrase in English, it is simply a feminine noun in the Dative case in Greek; the preposition is correctly supplied by the translators to indicate a Dative of Means, a common use of the Dative. Thus we have the MEANS of the MVP.
Ponder: What is the meaning of grace? It is the coin of the realm of heaven. It is what enables business to be transacted in the spiritual realm. It answers the question HOW? about being saved, (see v8b). It has past present and future aspects, some unmerited, some earned. How do you know that? Find every occurrence of the word in the Bible, examine each context and see what the Scripture has to say about the topic, then categorize and conclude. That will take a little more time than you budgeted for this study, but that's they way you develop convictions. Or, you could look at the Topical Study on “Grace” in the supplement, or find the sermon Praising Grace on Truthbase.net.
v8b you have been saved MVP main verb literally: “you are having been saved” a present tense verb and a perfect tense verb combined. Why the elaborate grammar? What aspect of “saved” does the author want us to understand? Forgiveness, Holiness, Glory, Deliverance from difficulties? See Supplement on Salvation or Lexicon excerpt below.
Lexical Light: You will eventually learn to look up words in a lexicon to understand their range of meanings, and then determine which the author meant in the particular context you are studying. A lexicon, like Thayer's, gives the range of possible meanings and insight into how the word was derived. Just bring up the Strong's numbers for the KJV text in the Online Bible or theWord, or Biblos, and click on the number to get the possible definitions. Bible Dictionaries tend to be pretty interpretative, and rarely break down the usages of the word by author. For instance, it's more important to understand how Paul has used the word earlier in his writing to Timothy, than to know how John uses the word in Revelation. The best way to get an unbiased understanding is to use free software, or even an old fashioned concordance to look up all the occurrences, and then figure out which meaning Paul intended. Just pop the number into the search function and voila. See the 10minuteBible.com YouTube on "How To Study A Word" for more help.
If you use Thayer's Lexicon (free in the OnlineBible or theWord or online at Biblos.com), you'd find the following definition for "salvation" Strong's Concordance #4991.
σωτηρια soteria so-tay-ree’-ah feminine of a derivative of 4990 as (properly, abstract) noun; TDNT (a massive ten volume theological dictionary)-7:965,1132; n f Eph 2:8 uses the verb, this is the noun
AV (how it's translated in the KJV)-salvation 40, the (one) be saved 1, deliver + 1325 1, health 1, saving 1, that (one) be saved + 1519 1; 45
Range of Meanings in Koina Greek (common Greek of the NT as opposed to Classical Greek of Homer and Plato)
1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation (frequent meaning in the Greek translation of the OT, the LXX, especially in the Psalms)
1a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies
1b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation
1b1) of Messianic salvation
2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians
3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
NB: (That's Latin for Note Bene, or Note Well.) The supplement will expand upon the past, present and future aspects of salvation: Justification (past forgiveness), Sanctification (present, progressive holiness), and Glorification (final reversal of the effects of the Fall and restoration to glory).
v8c through faith - a prepositional phrase using dia with a feminine noun in the Genitive case, which indicates the channel or instrument through which something happens. When used with the Accusative case, it usually gives a reason or grounds for something happening. Since this is the Genitive case, we have the MEANS for something happening.
BONUS: Everyone has faith, or a confidence that a present course of action will lead to expected consequences (like the chair you're sitting in won't collapse, or the food you eat won't kill you immediately, etc.) The key question is: “In what is your faith based?” Biblical faith has to be based on something God has revealed. The only way a finite being (that's you and me) can know infinite Truth (like how to get to heaven and live happily ever after), is if an Infinite Being reveals it. According to the Scripture, some people lose or misplace their faith. See the Study Guide to Faith: Use It Or Lose It on Truthbase.net.
v8d and that not of yourselves VP Verbal Proposition even though there isn't a verb in the text. (ellipsis, the verb “to be” is understood, in other words “is” is added);
and=a coordinating or continuing conjunction, kai, followed by two implied verbs 8e and 9a.
It could be a second MVP, a consequence of MVP#1 or a summary of what's above, or the beginning of a list of SVP's. We'll sort it out when we do our outline. If “and” is a continuing or inferential conjunction (as in Acts 1:8 “receive power AND (as a result) be witnesses”, the nuance or shade of meaning is RESULT.
that=a NEUTER demonstrative pronoun in the Nominative case (which usually serves as the subject of a sentence, so you'll supply the verb “is” for your verbal proposition). [The subject of a sentence is not the same as the Subject-Complement statement. I didn't make up these rules, some linguists did.] You need to figure out what the pronoun “that” stands for. It can't be grace or faith, since they're both feminine.
Hint: Neuter is frequently used for ideas or concepts.
Hint: Neuter is frequently used for ideas or concepts.
Yourselves=is in the Genitive case, usually indicating possession or source.
v8e it is the gift of God, SVP (ellipsis, the verb “to be” is understood).
gift=a feminine noun
Since God is in the Genitive case as well, this phrase is parallel to the previous “of yourselves”, i.e., is is not from/sourced in yourselves, it is a gift from/sourced in God.
v9a and not of works SVP (ellipsis, the verb “to be” is understood) This could be the result of 8e or coordinate with it. What are works? How do you find out about them? What if you don't do them? Look up every occurrence of “works”, study and categorize each, and then draw your own conclusions. It takes time to do a good topical study, so see supplementary verses on works at the end of this material for a quick overview.
Lexical Light: on “Works”
#2041 εργον ergon er’-gon from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); TDNT-2:635,251; n n
AV-work 152, deed 22, doing 1, labor 1; 176
1) business, employment, that which any one is occupied
1a) that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking
2) any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind
3) an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasized in opp. to that which is less than work
v9b lest anyone should boast this is a subordinating conjunction, hina, plus a subjunctive verb in the Greek, which always indicates the PURPOSE for the Subject in a Subject-Complement statement (gives the purpose of the VP it modifies). (The Subjunctive mood in Greek indicates the certainty or uncertainty – it might or might not happen; you could find this out by clicking on the second Strong's number, the parsing of the verb, and then clicking on the number after “subjunctive”.)
Theological Tip: What's the big deal about boasting? Well, if you understand the context of Ephesians, the Jews and Gentiles weren't exactly getting along, and God wanted them to live in a unified manner, so they could be built into a temple which He could indwell, and His glory be manifested to the world. By eliminating the basis for boasting in one's own superiority or law-keeping or ritual or religious tradition, Paul lays a foundation for God glorifying unity.
v10a For we are His workmanship VP Introduced by...
for=gar this clause gives a reason for something above. It has a new verbal proposition. 2Cor 5:17 is a good cross-reference, but try to keep most of your observations in Eph 2.
STURCTURE: each successive clause modifies the line preceding it, rather than an MVP. These are the two major types of structure (all the clauses going back to the same MVP [like verses 8 and 9], or each clause modifies the one immediately before it. Try restating and amplifying 10a in your own words.
v10b created in Christ Jesus This phrase modifies 10a, serving as its complement, indicating HOW, or the MANNER in which we are His workmanship; OR the Reason we are His workmanship (because we are created in Christ). You might want to understand more precisely how we're “created in Christ Jesus”. When did/does this happen? What was the process? Are we created in union with Christ (Sphere), or by Christ (Means/Agent)? Is “in” or “by” the better translation for the preposition ev (Strongs's #1722)?
v10c for good works Prepositional phrase, answering the question “why” about 10b, denoting the purpose for which we are created in Christ. Might give some insight into how we're created. What good works did the author have in mind. What is the purpose of good works?
v10d which God prepared beforehand Relative clause, modifying “good works”, answering the question HOW, describing the MANNER of the “good works”. When and how did God prepare them?
v10e that we should walk in them. This subordinate clause, introduced byhina + the subjunctive give the PURPOSE for which God prepared the good works: for us to walk in them, i.e., to have our way of life in them. Walk is a figure of speech for daily living.
LEVEL FOUR
INTERPRETATION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Develop an Inductive/Exegetical Outline
See the 10minuteBible.com video on YouTube for The Dick and Jane Story,
or “abandon all hope ye who enter here.”
Express the relationship between clauses/phrases as answering the questions:
What does it modify? (the clause modified is the Subject)
How does it modify it? (the clause/phrase doing the modifying is the Complement)
Does this clause/phrase/word tell me:
Who? What? When? Where? Why? or How?
about the Subject?
Thus the modifier is the Complement.
MAGIC Formula: Nuance..Subject...Complement
The “NUANCES” link the Subject and Complement together, expressing the semantic relationship between them.
Who? The One Who (to whom) does (to whom is done) the MVP is...the complement
What? The Thing Which/Content of the MVP is...the complement
When? The Time When/Until the MVP is...the complement
Where? The Place Where/Sphere in which the MVP is...the complement
Why? Has three nuances/shades of meaning:
Purpose (intention), Reason (cause), Result (actually happens)
The Purpose of the MVP is SO THAT/IN ORDER THAT...the complement
The Reason for the MVP is BECAUSE of...the complement
The Result of the MVP is THAT...the complement
How? Two nuances: Means (instrumentality/agency, has to be there for action to occur)
Manner (color commentary, descriptive, what it looks like)
The Means of the MVP is BY...the complement
The Manner of the MVP is...the complement
TIP: Copy and paste your original layout twice after you put in the 8a, 8b, 8c, etc. That way you'll always be working directly from the text, and won't leave anything out. Saves time too.
Make a tentative Inductive outline
8 For The Reason ? (something up above) is ? (summary of what's below)
8a by grace How saved? The MEANS of MVP is by grace
8b Believers/you have been saved = MVP
8c through faith How? The MEANS of X? is through faith
8d and Something/that is not of yourselves VP (maybe Result of MVP, or MVP#2 or SVP#1)
8e Something/it is the gift of God = SVP#1 or 2
9a Something is not of works = SVP #2 or 3
9b WHY? The Purpose of something is no one (lest anyone) should boast.
10 For The Reason for the above (“the subject”) is what's below (“the complement”)
10a Believers/People/we are His workmanship =SVP
10b The ? of the SVP is created in Christ Jesus Manner, describes how we're His workmanship
10c The ? of the SVP or 10b is for good works, Purpose of being created in Christ?
10d which God prepared beforehand = ssvp describing the Manner of the works
10e The ? For SVP or ? Is that we should walk in them Maybe the purpose of the works being prepared?
You probably have a good idea of how things go together and what the verse means. Or at least a better idea than you did when you started. The following step takes things up a notch as you try to put the outline into a more precise form.
Initial Exegetical Outline
Now try linking the phrases together ala The Dick and Jane Story, expressing the relationships in Subject-Complement form.
The NUANCE of the SUBJECT is the COMPLEMENT
Ignore the “for” which begins verse 8, momentarily. We'll come back for it after we've summarized vv8-10, and use it to link our passage to the previous passage.
Pep Talk: There are seventeen steps to constructing this outline (it varies depending on the number of clauses in a passage). Don't get discouraged. You are in the process of moving from conscious ignorance to conscious intelligence. Take baby steps, one at a time, and you will “get it”. The mental muscle you build in mastering this process will make everything else easier. I've seen people expand their reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills by doing exegetical study. If you're doing this on your own, and feel you only have half a brain, find someone else, put your heads together, and you'll both profit. There is a YouTube on 10minuteBible.com that walks you the passage and process. But don't go there unless you absolutely have to. Eventually this will be in a post with a discussion/comment section, because misery loves company, and there might be someone who can answer your questions.
Task #1 START with ►#1 v8b, the MVP.
Task #2 Then move up to 8a and relate 8a to the MVP (8b).
#2 TIE 8a “by grace” to MVP 8a The MEANS by which you have been saved is by grace.
►#1 START HERE 8b =MVP 8b You have been saved. = MVP
Since “by grace” answers the question HOW about the MVP,
the nuance is MEANS or MANNER. Since grace has to be there (and the grammar) it's MEANS
Now we have 8c “through faith” to tie in. Your first guess might be to make it the MEANS of being saved is by faith. Not a bad choice but not a good one. Usually you're only allowed ONE of each TYPE of Complement per subject, unless there is a list or the author indicates otherwise. For example you have a single purpose for something, unless the author joins two purposes using a conjunction, like “and”. You can have multiple results if the author is giving a list, and then he will probably use “and” or another conjunction to let you know he's listing a bunch of similar consequences. In 8c, we don't have a conjunction or a list of the means of salvation, so we need to dig deeper into Paul's thought.
How about if we summarize 8a and 8b, and then have 8c modify the new concept? Brilliant!
Task #3 Since 8c doesn't just modify “we're saved”, but rather modifies the fact that “we're saved by grace” you have to summarize 8a-b in #3, which will become the Subject of 8c. The NIV, which normally strives for readability over accuracy, puts a comma (there's no punctuation in the original Greek manuscripts) after saved, indicating that “through faith” modifies “saved by grace.” Bravo! But you can't automatically trust any translation. That's why you need to learn to study it yourself. (The NIV also does a great job on Psalms, where the poetry is occasionally very difficult.)
When you're doing a summary of the first point, it is sometimes just a repeat of the point it summarizes (an outlining quirk you have to experience to understand). It will become clearer when you put the Roman Numerals on the outline (hopefully). *(from two lines down) It is OK that your summary is the same as 8a.
Task #3 SUMMARIZE 8a-b so 8c can modify them both, the full idea.
►#3 SUM 8a-b The MEANS by which you hav been saved is by grace*
#2 TIE TO MVP 8a The MEANS by which you have been saved is by grace
#1 START 8b You have been saved =MVP
Task #4 8c is the Complement of 8a-b, answering the question HOW?, telling us how “we're saved by grace” (the MVP), giving the MEANS.
Task #4 TIE BACK 8c (to the Summarized Complement of 8a-b “saved by grace”, (not just saved)
#3 SUM 8a-b The MEANS by which you hav been saved is by grace*
#2 TIE TO MVP 8a The MEANS by which you have been saved is by grace
#1 START 8b You have been saved =MVP
►#4 TIE to 8a-b 8c The MEANS by which you have been saved by grace is through faith.
Figuring out 8d will be a whole lot easier, and it still won''t be that easy, if you learn the next step of outlining.
LEVEL FIVE Congratulations, you're almost there!
Exegetical Outlining Proper: Enumerate your outline points with actual outline markers, like A,B,C, etc. Indent your points like below. You can't have just one sub-point. A is a summary of A1, A2, A3. B must be related to A, as a complement or another item in a list.
A.
A1.
A2.
A2a.
A2b.
A2b-1.
A2b-2.
A2c.
B.
Make sure you understand the above, and grasp the subordination. When you see them in the future, all the markers will be moved over to the left margin (to save space). The subordination is maintained by the numbering system, and you can also see it when you read a correctly worded point. For some reason people have difficulty with it. It's simply repeating the marker(s) for the superior point in the sub-point so there is no confusion about what modifies what. Here it is on vv8a-c.
A. 8a-b The Means by which you have been saved is by grace.
A1. 8a The Means by which you have been saved is by grace.
A2. 8b You have been saved. = MVP
B. 8c The Means by which you have been saved by grace is through faith.
Now we've got 8d and that is not of yourselves. You figured out in Observation, that “that” can't modify faith or grace (Feminine nouns), since “that” is NEUTER. The neuter is often used for concepts, hence, “that” is used for our point B.”saved by grace is through faith.” That's the gift.
8d will become our point C. modifying B. If we tried to make it a sub-point, like B2, B 8c would have to become B1, and B would be the summary of B1 and B2. If you understand this previous sentence, Eureka! You've got it!
As you saw in Observation of 8d, “and” can be sequential, as well a parallel. It should be obvious that Paul is drawing an inference rather than making a second parallel point. Since salvation by grace is through faith, it isn't something that is sourced in you or your deeds. So 8b will be the RESULT of B.
However, 8b has two parallel modifiers, which explain 8b giving us the Reason 8b is true. Therefore 8b can't directly modify B, but has to be linked to its modifiers first, and then the whole shooting match tied back. It looks like this:
Task #5 Identify the VP in 8d
Tasks #6-5 Express 8e and 9a as outline points
Task #8 Summarize 8e and 9a as the complement of 8d
Task #9 Summarize 8d-9a which will serve as the complement of B.
#9 Summary of 8d-9a which serves as the complement of B.
►#5 START 8d Salvation by faith thru grace is not sourced in ourselves =(MVP of section C)
#8 Summary of 8e and 9a = parallel verbal propositions, with ellipsis
Next #6 8e Salvation by faith thru grace is the gift of (sourced in) God SVP 1
Next #7 9a Salvation by faith thru grace is not of (sourced in) works SVP 2
#9 Summary of 8e-9a which serves as the complement of B.
#5 8d Salvation by faith thru grace is not sourced in ourselves =(MVP of section C)
►#8 The RESULT of Salvation by faith thru grace not being sourced in ourselves...
SUM is THAT it is a gift of God not a result of our works.
#6 8e Salvation by faith thru grace is the gift of (sourced in) God SVP 1
#7 9a Salvation by faith thru grace is not of (sourced in) works SVP 2
Now we can go to Task #9, and summarize 8d-9a and then tie it back to B. Using the outline markers:
►C. 8e-9a The REASON salvation by grace is through faith...
...is BECAUSE it is something God gives as a gift, rather than something resulting from our works.
C1. 8d Salvation by faith thru grace is not sourced in ourselves =MVP
C2. 8e-9a The Result of Salvation by faith thru grace is not sourced in ourselves...
is that it is a gift of God not the result of our works.
C2a. 8e Salvation by faith thru grace is the gift of (sourced in) God, SVP 1
C2b. 9a Salvation by faith thru grace is not of (sourced in) works, SVP 2
See how C2a. (8e) and C2b. (9a) SUMMARIZE together in C2, and then serve as the Complement MODIFYING the Subject(=C1). Then C1 and C2 combine to serve as the Complement of B (which is the Subject of C.
Pep Talk: The above paragraph is an easy skill to move from conscious intelligence to unconscious intelligence. After a few head scratches it will become automatic. Don't fret it.
Task #10 is to tie in 9b, using the Complement of C as the Subject, and Purpose as the nuance.
A. 8a-b The Means by which you have been saved is by grace.
B. 8c The Means by which you have been saved by grace is through faith.
C. 8e-9a The REASON salvation by grace is through faith...
...is BECAUSE it is something God gives as a gift, rather than something resulting from our works.
#10 ►D. 9b The PURPOSE of Salvation being a gift rather than of our works is so that no one should boast.
Note that pulling the previous main points together gives you a clearer picture of how you should phrase your next point, D.
Task 11 identify the VP of verse 10,
Tasks 12-15 link the clauses/phrases using the Subject-Complement MAGIC FORMULA
Task 16 Summarize v10 and link it back to D (or something up above)
#16 E. v10 This will be a summary, which we can't know until we get all the sub-points.
►#11 START E1. 10a We are His workmanship =VP (or MVP of Section)
#12 E2. 10b The Manner/Reason we are His workmanship is that/because we are created in Christ Jesus (justification)
#13 E3. 10c The Purpose for which we are created in Christ Jesus is for good works, (sanctification)
#14 E4. 10d The Manner of the works is that God prepared them ahead of time/beforehand
#15 E5. 10e The Purpose of God preparing works for us to do is so that we should walk in them.
Note how each complement (double underlined) became the next subject (single underline).
The outlining of v10 is easy once you recognize that each point modifies the point it directly followed, rather than going back to a VP.
THUMB TIP: This is called a “stair step” or sequential structure, rather than a parallel structure, where all the sub-points (or summaries of them) go back to the MVP. In the sequential “stair step” structure, your summary will usually emphasize the first point, since everything is subordinate to it. In a parallel structure, the author is usually striving to get to his last point to complete the idea, and you might find the emphasis of the complement being the last point. It's just a rule of thumb, but might come In handy.
Task #16 Summary of v10, tying it back to v9
D. 9b The PURPOSE of Salvation being a gift rather than of our works is so that no one should boast.
►E. v10 The REASON no one should boast is because...
our salvation and works are all sourced in God (or His work).
With any luck or supernatural assistance, you outline should look something like this:
A. 8a-b The Means by which you have been saved is by grace.
A1. 8a The Means by which you have been saved is by grace.
A2. 8b You have been saved. = MVP
B. 8c The Means by which you have been saved by grace is through faith.
C. 8e-9a The Reason salvation by grace is through faith...
...is because it is something God gives as a gift, rather than something resulting from our works.
C1. 8d Salvation by faith thru grace is not sourced in ourselves =MVP
C2. 8e-9a The Result of Salvation by faith thru grace is not sourced in ourselves...
is that it is a gift of God not a result of our works.
C2a. 8e Salvation by faith thru grace is the gift of (sourced in) God, SVP 1
C2b. 9a Salvation by faith thru grace is not of (sourced in) works, SVP 2
D. 9b The Purpose of Salvation being a gift rather than of our works is so that no one should boast.
E. v10 The Reason no one should boast is...
...because our salvation and works are all sourced in God (or His work).
E1. 10a We are His workmanship =vp
E2. 10b The Manner/Reason we are His workmanship is that/because we are created in Christ Jesus (justification)
E3. 10c The Purpose for which we are created in Christ Jesus is for good works, (sanctification)
E4. 10d The Manner of the works is that God prepared them ahead of time/beforehand
E5. 10e The Purpose of God preparing works for us to do is so that we should walk in them.
Task #17 Tie into larger context. Get a running start by focusing on just the major outline points.
If you've been studying a book beginning with Chapter 1 verse 1, it's easier to tie in. If you are jumping into the middle, as we are, you have a more difficult time being accurate. So read the sections before and after the section you're studying (a couple of times) to get a brief understanding of them. Don't read them dozens of times, because you'll just reinforce your initial, and perhaps inaccurate impressions. If you have time to read dozens of times, you have time to study properly.
RECAP
A. 8a-b The Means by which you have been saved is by grace.
B. 8c The Means by which you have been saved by grace is through faith.
C. 8e-9a The Reason salvation by grace is through faith...
...is because it is something God gives as a gift, rather than something resulting from our works.
D. 9b The Purpose of Salvation being a gift rather than of our works is so that no one should boast.
E. v10 The Reason no one should boast is...
...because our salvation and works are all sourced in God (or His work).
Now summarize these points and tie into the rest of the author's thought in the chapter, as in Roman numeral III. below.
An abbreviated outline of the chapter goes something like this.
I. 2:1-3 Jews and Gentiles were equally deserving of wrath
II. 4-6 The Purpose of God graciously saving Jews and Gentiles together in Christ is so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
►#17 III. 8-10 The Reason God will manifest His rich grace in the future is because our Salvation and Works are functions of His grace
IV. 11-22 The Result of Salvation and Works being functions of His grace is that Jews and Gentiles are now one reconciled unified entity growing into a temple in which God can dwell (and display His glory).
LEVEL SIX: Correlation, or tying into the rest of Scripture.
See the studies on Salvation or Soteriology on Truthbase for examples, or the attached survey of Good Works.
LEVEL SEVEN: (some folks jump form discussion to application, which is better than nothing, but will eventually have you doing and believing things that are NOT what God wants. So take time to get though at least a couple of levels, and eventually you'll arrive here legitimately).
APPLICATION: How does it work? (Biblical Worship is a Response to Revelation)
1. What did the author/God expect the original audience to do in response to what was written?
If we can't answer that question, we will be hazy on the next two:
2, What are the principles behind the instruction which carry the Truth across time and culture to us today?
3. Why did the Holy Spirit include these words in the Bible? What does He expect us to do?
4. How and when will we apply it?
1. Original audience: Live in unity, indwelt by God using grace to build the Body, knowing that all are equally deserving of wrath rather than grace.
2. Principles: God's grace makes things happen. We must respond to it by faith. Our works/deeds don't get our sins forgiven, nor cause us to be unforgiven. We are a new creation in Christ, with a new identity, beyond forgiven sinners, that gives us purpose and focus. Since God's purpose in saving us goes beyond forgiveness, He would tell us about it just like He tells us about forgiveness. God has planned good works (things that make Him look good in the eyes of others -Mt 5:17), which we need to discover/determine and do. (See next passage 2Tim 3:16-17 for starters.)
3. Why included: Believers throughout time, need to build on the foundation of forgiveness and interact with each other, so that God is glorified as they do what He's planned and specified (obey).
4. Personal Application: Be sure your trusting in what God has done for your salvation, rather than what you do. (What you've done is why you need salvation in the first place.)
Find out how to experience life as a new creation, doing the deeds God specifically created you in Christ to do. Hey, that's the topic of the next of the 7 PASSAGES (and you can bet that the other five help you do the same.)
ToDo Do a mini-topical study on good works (see attached outline), and use God's grace to build them into your life.
Skim the Truthbase.net topical studies on faith, grace, and salvation, and bring your thinking into conformity with the Truth, rather than oral tradition.
E5. 10e The Purpose of God preparing works for us to do is so that we should walk in them.
Now that you've Learned the Truth, time to Live the Truth, and Love others with the Truth.
Pass this on.
SECOND SECTION of POST
Ephesians 2:10 Good Works, Good Lord, Good Glory
© 10/98 10/03 WF Cobb Truthbase.net
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Definition: Good works are purposeful Christlike actions, prompted and enabled by the HS of grace, which eternally benefit others (through having real needs met), God (by making Him look good in the eyes of others) and ourselves (through growth and reward).
1. Good Works are a function of the light shining in us (having an unhindered relationship with God) and should result in God looking good in the eyes of others Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
2. Jesus deliberately engaged in GW Jn 17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
Jn 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?
Ac 10:38 That God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him. 20: 24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
3. GW (are distinguished from giving alms) don't make you immune from dying, but appear to increase your chances of getting a miraculous resurrection Ac 9:36 disciple named Tabitha, called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
4. Glory hounds patiently continue to do GW even though they don't see the immediate payoff.
Ro 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing (good works) seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
Rm 13:3 rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, you will have praise from them
Ne 13:14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God
5. GW are the hottest fashion for a godly woman, should be done without wrath or doubting, but with reverence and sobriety (sound-minded, objective thinking) 1Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;10 But (which is becoming to women professing godliness) with good works.
6. We can/should have a reputation for GW which is gained by diligently following/chasing after every opportunity to render service to those in need. 1Ti 5:9 9…unless she has been the wife of one man,10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
7. GW are obvious (as light in a dark place) 1Ti 5:25 the good works of some are clearly evident beforehand… otherwise can’t be hid.
8. The rich should be rich in GW (not just do them conveniently) so they can be rich in the future world as well as this one. GW are distinguished from doing good, and being ready or willing to share. 1Ti 6:17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
9. You're not adequate to do GW unless you're first taught/reproved/corrected/instructed by the Word of God and the GW's flow out of a sanctified life (light). (Otherwise you'll wind up just doing the soup kitchen bleeding heart liberal kind of thing to make yourself feel good/less guilty RATHER than what God wants/is pleased by [which the Word tells you about]). It would also seem that every GW should have a Biblical basis/motivation, and/or that the Word should be involved in every GW. 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished/equipped for all good works.
10. Mature believers are to be models of GW, flowing out of sober-objective thinking and an unreproachable life Titus 2:6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
11. We're to be as zealous for GW as we are for.....GW are a purpose of our redemption, and the result of a purified life (no purity, no good GW [are there bad GW?]). Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself his own special people, zealous of good works.
12. Knuckleheads must be reminded to do/maintain GW, and such GW are profitable for those doing them (as well as those benefited by them) Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
13. We have the responsibility to put some decent mental effort into inciting each other to acts of love as well as GW, part of the means of such incitement is assembling and shouting at each other Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to stir up to love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
14. GW will even win over those who are hostile or antagonistic to Christianity. (The evil-doing in this verse is the irreligious act of refusing to burn incense to the Emperor as deity). 1Pe 2:12 Having your behavior honest among the Gentiles: that, though they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
15. Supernatural grace is necessary to do GW's. There's no lack on God's side, the only lack shortage is in our failure to receive or use as God intended. 2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to/have abundance for every good work:
16. The GW in this context is that of giving to Paul's ministry. The GW was motivated by God. Phlp 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
17. It pleases God when we have fruitful GW (our GW's accomplish their intend aim or GW are the means of being faithful) Col 1:10 That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God
Mt 26:7 a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he was eating. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said to them, Why do you trouble the woman? for she has done a good work for me.
18. God gives us the strength (currency) to do the business of GW's 2Th 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work. Phlp 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
19. Personal holiness (in which we've taken the initiative) is a prerequisite to GW's 2Ti 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
20. Failing to be pure disqualifies you from doing a GW Titus 1:14… men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
21. GW are pleasing to God, the will of God, to the Glory of God, and the result of being perfected Heb 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 make you complete/perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen Ps 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.
22. GW are rewarded and usually appear to be toward the saints Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Mt 25:35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in 36 Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.
Re 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and that you can not bear them who are evil: and you have tried them who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. What are the alternatives to doing Good Works? Are there bad works? What if no one recognizes God in your good work?
2. What’s a good work that you’ve experienced? How did it benefit you? How do good works relate to disciplemaking?
3. What are the hindrances to good works? What happens if someone doesn’t do good works?
4. How can you increase your ability and motivation to do good works?
5. Pray, do, and track your good works every day this week.
6. List some good works that you could do:
THIRD SECTION of POST
Hi X-Men (in the exegetical, non-mutant sort of way).
The most benefit of any study is what you learn and discover on your own.
However, since independent study is an acquired skill (actually you were born with it, but had is socialized out of you), here are a few hints to maximize your study time.
Lay-out, (diagram if you can) and observe Ephesians 2:8-10.
Don’t go for quantity but quality of observation (You only need a handful to understand the passage).
You don’t have to look up every word in the onlineBible (OLB),
but you do want to understand most of them particularly:
the verbs;
The gender and antecedent of the pronoun “that” (hint: gender must agree with antecedent):
(help: neuter nouns and pronouns are frequently used for concepts)
faith, grace, and saved are loaded terms (what meaning of each does Paul intend his audience to understand?
Do your outline (expressing the relationship between clauses and phrases) before tackling the interpretation part below.
Take ten minutes to try to tie the passage into the context of the chapter, and then the book. (I don’t expect you to do this well.)
The lexical uses of the saved and especially the noun “salvation” in Thayers (OLB) which will introduce you to three/four different aspects of salvation. (Which does Paul have in view here?)
This last observation should start you on the use of a concordance to get an idea of how “salvation” is used in the NT. This is the process of Interpretation. So type the Strongs number into the search bar and see what passages refer to “salvation” as something accomplished in the past (hint: verb tenses help here, e.g. perfect=something in the past with continuing results into the present); present, and future (make sure you browse 1Pt 1)
For those of you for whom this is new, there are two ways to think about it:
The first is understanding salvation:
- Exactly why do people need to be saved? (If your answer has something to do with sin, then explain how, why and so what.)
- What are they saved from?
- How and when does everything happen? (two separate questions)
- Precisely what needs to be believed?
- What are the consequences of belief?
The other, complementary way to think about the topic is as “a reversal of the effects of the Fall.” You can try your hand at drawing a little chart (or for the less artistically inclined, a line on a paper resulting in two columns would do it) that expresses what Adam and Eve/humanity lost, and how those things are reversed in salvation (or the salvation process).
Some “Theological terms” that you will eventually understand as you engage in this process are: justification, sanctification, and glorification, but don’t glom onto a theological dictionary or truthbase.net until you try to figure it out from the text of Scripture first.
Some good Greek words to write onto the bottom of your Rm 6 sheet are: gar, dia, ina (hina) and en (1063,1223,2443,1722)
May the Force* be with you,
-bc
(*AKA the Power of the Holy Spirit, Grace, or some wavy static on your computer screen; the first two items would be really useful since you are seeking esoteric knowledge of the ways of God about which You Know Who has managed to keep the masses in the dark. If all you’ve got is the last item, you probably need to check the connections on your monitor.)
I. MECHANICAL LAYOUT (Diagram the difficult parts)
8a For by grace
8b you have been saved = MVP#1
8c through faith,
8d and that (is) not of yourselves; = MVP#2
8e y……………. z… it is the gift of God, = SVP#1
9a (it is) not of works, =SVP#2
9b w…… x…… y…. z……lest anyone should boast.
10a For we are His workmanship,
10b created in Christ Jesus
10c for good works,
10d which God prepared beforehand
10e that we should walk in them.
II. KEY OBSERVATIONS {These are the ones you need for your outline and to learn the exegetical method}
8a For; gar=gives a reason for the preceding subject, serving as the complement.
The Reason for ____(something above) is because of (what follows). REASON always goes with BECAUSE.
by grace; could be means or manner, but grace has to be there for us to be saved (OLB dative of means)
8b you have been saved = MVP#1; literally= you are (present state of being) + having been saved (perfect passive ptcp = occurred in the past with continuing results up into the future)
8c through faith; dia=means or manner here. Unless there is a list, you usually have one of each nuance per subject being modified
8d and; coordinating conjunction, joining two items of equal weight, should start you looking for a parallel mvp (hmmm)
that; NEUTER this is crucial!!!! Must modify a neuter something, like a concept, not a feminine noun like faith or grace (see guide)
(is) not; here’s the verb; really, it’s called an ellipsis, it’s obviously (to some) there in P’s mind, just not on parchement. = MVP#2
of yourselves; prep=ek usually indicating source “out of”
8e it is the gift of God, = SVP#1 the translators were nice enough to supply it is in italics to let us know they supplied it; ellipsis
the subject of the ellipsis “it” is the same as the “that” up above
9a (it is) not of works, =SVP#2 ditto giving you two parallel svp’s modifying something, answering the question why????
9b ………...lest anyone should boast; hina plus the subjunctive almost always equals purpose. RWP in OLB would clue you into that.
The choice is to have 9b modify 9a (the immediately preceding thought) or the combined summary of 8e & 9a, or 8d. Since it is a “major” phrase with its own stated verb, and in a major grammatical construction, it has enough “weight” to go all the way back to the MVP. Plug it in the outline format: The Purpose of ____?____ is that no one should boast; and see which makes the best sense. As you get to know an author’s style this becomes easier. (Not easy, just easier.) {yikes! Another double ellipsis, X-man!}
10a For; again like the beginning of v8, it gives a reason for something. Take it back to various outline points or summaries until it makes the most sense.
we are His workmanship; new MVP. Each major thought or outline point usually has its own finite verb. Note V=verb
10b created; participle, usually has to modify a verb, unless it’s being used as a noun (cf English gerund=verbal noun “running”)
in Christ Jesus; prepositional phrase, indicating the Sphere or Place Where we are created. Could be “One in Whom” but not best.
10c for good works; prep epi with the dative frequently indicates purpose according to RWP citation of Big Bob’s 20 pound grammar.
I tread lightly when disagreeing with someone who writes grammar books that weigh more than my Bible and laptop together.
{The above sentence is another more stylistic way of saying it’s a good idea to start with grammarian’s suggestions for nuance.}
“The Manner of the works is that they are good” is a good outline point, but you don’t really need to write it out, just think it.
The point you need to include on your outline is “The Purpose of 10b, or 10a. or some combination of the two, is good works.”
It would be smart to eventually do a Bible Study on Good Works. Search on the combination in English or using Strong’s numbers in it OLB to find out all the references to this thing which seems like a major purpose for your salvation or God’s creative work. Pull up all the verses, and then sort through them looking for context and patterns, so you can say with confidence, “This is what Good Works are all about.” The non-intp guide to good works for saints who are too busy working or playing or doing bad works, is on Truthbase.net somewhere.
10d which; relative pronoun, standing for good works. Serves as the subject or object of the verb prepare. Paul frequently uses a relative pronoun and a finite verb to indicate a new thought or outline point.
God prepared beforehand: no need to wax Calvinistic here (foreordained in KJV). Just look at what is being said, and what is not being said. God’s preparation Look up the word in the OLB. It is composed of the preposition pro which means before or ahead, and a verb used 40 times to indicate preparation. God is only the subject an handful of times. Understand a word in its non-theological uses first (get the Passover dinner prepared Lk 22.8) before you try to understand it in some non-material ethereal sort of way.
If you had an outline point above that read: The Manner of the works is good, then you can’t also say The Manner of the works is that they are prepped by God. But you could say The Manner of the GOOD works is that they are prepped by God. Unless in an obvious list, you should not use the same nuance more than once to modify the SAME idea. Note the difference in idea between works and good works.
10e that we should walk in them. Hina + the subjunctive makes purpose an easy choice (rather than result). You could break this phrase down into: we should walk= svp; and the Sphere or Thing in which we should walk is in the God prepped good works, but you don’t gain any insights in so doing, however you should be thinking this way.
I. The REASON for something up above is BECAUSE of something down below.
A. 8a-d The Means by which believers are saved by grace is through faith not from their own efforts
A1. 8a-c The Means by which believers are saved by grace is through faith FIFTH Summarize A1a&A1b here
A1a. 8a-b The Means by which believers are saved is by grace THIRD Summarize 8a&b HERE
A1a-1. 8a The Means by which believers are saved is by grace SECOND Modify the MVP with 8a
START HERE A1a-2. 8b Believer are having been saved = MVP#1
A1b. 8c The Means by which believers are saved by grace is through faith FOURTH modify 8a-b with 8c
A2. 8d The Means by which Believers are not saved is of themselves (out of/from their doing/efforts)
A2a. Believers are not saved=MVP#2 {this breakdown is overkill but you can see the parallelism in P’s thought}
A2b. The Means by which Believers are not saved is of themselves (their doing/efforts)
B. 8e-9a The Reason believers are saved by grace and not of themselves is because being saved is a gift of God not a result of works =y
B2a. 8e Being saved by grace is the/a gift of God =svp#1
B2b. 9a Being saved by grace is not (the result) of works =svp#2
C. 9b The Purpose of believers being saved by God’s grace thru faith rather than their own efforts is so that no one should boast =w
(OR The Purpose of salvation being not of works = z
(OR The Purpose of salvation being a gift of God rather than works =y
(OR The Purpose of salvation not being of ourselves =x
(OR The Purpose of believers being saved by God’s gracious gift rather than their own efforts =w
D 10a-e The Reason no one should boast (in their salvation or works) is because both our salvation and works are God’s doing
D1. 10a Believers are God’s workmanship= MVP (the one who’s workmanship we are is God)
D2. 10b The Reason believers are God’s workmanship is because they are created in Christ Jesus (Sphere=in Christ)
D3. 10c The Purpose for which believers are created in Christ is for good works (Manner of the works=good)
D4. 10d The Manner of the good works is that God prepared them beforehand (Time when prepared is beforehand)
D5. 10e The Purpose of God preparing good works for us is SO THAT we should walk in them
Now to tie vv 8-10 into the context of the chaper. (This is where the intuitive side must kick into overdrive. Fasten your seat belts.)
{Of yeah, you don’t need to know this to do the outline, and I would fall out of my chair if you did {except that I had my seatbelt on.}
I. The Reason for v7 or the earlier part of the chapter is because our salvation from soup to nuts (justification to glorification) is a function of God’s grace.
The chapter provides the theological basis of the unity Jewish and Gentile believers should have at Ephesus, so that they can be the living temple in/thru which God displays His glory to the world. In the ages to come God will demonstrate the rich lavishness of the grace He’s extended to believers by not only justifying them, but also sanctifying and glorifying them.
Sundry notes I found in my correspondence:
Outlining to the rescue. There is no grammatical nor lexical way to answer whether faith or grace is the means, because it could go either way. Both are allowed. It looks like two means, but that isn’t kosher according to the outline rules, but is allowed if the words are describing two different means: one, the means of being saved, and the other, the means of being saved by grace (with being saved by grace being the concept differentiated from plain vanilla being saved.) You could do the manner is graciously and the means by faith, but asking yourself (solving on the theological concept level) what’s the real basis of someone getting their sins paid for, it is God’s gracious provision of His Son. Without that payment, no one gets saved. Now the question becomes how does that grace get applied to our sin? By believing God when He says Christ’s death is sufficient payment.
Here the On-line Bible Note which could have clued you into some of the answers (not always reliable though)
{For by grace} (th gar cariti). Explanatory reason. "By the grace" already mentioned in verse #5 and so with the article. {Through faith} (dia pistewv). This phrase he adds in repeating what he said in verse #5 to make it plainer. "Grace" is God’s part, "faith" ours. {And that} (kai touto). Neuter, not feminine tauth, and so refers not to pistiv (feminine) or to cariv (feminine also), but to the act of being saved by grace conditioned on faith on our part. Paul shows that salvation does not have its source (ex umwn, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God’s gift (dwron) and not the result of our work.
Fourth Section of POST
Eph 2:8-10 Exegetical Outline Walk-Thru © 2010 WF Cobb Truthbase.net
Step 1: Mechanical layout put each clause (has a verb), phrase (ie, preposition), and significant word on its own line.
Step 2: Start OBSERVATION: WHAT DO I SEE? Indent modifiers indicating the relationships between clauses/phrases
Start identifying main verbs and breaks in thought which will become major outline points.
Ask: 1. What's he talking about? (Subject) 2. What is he saying about the subject?(Complement)
8a For by grace
8b you have been saved
8c through faith,
8d and that not of yourselves;
8e it is the gift of God,
9a not of works,
9b lest anyone should boast.
10a For we are His workmanship,
10b created in Christ Jesus
10c y..........z. for good works,
10d x..........y..........z..which God prepared beforehand
10e w.........x..........y........z..that we should walk in them.
Step 3: Observation=see what's there; look up words, compare translations, identify/verify verbs (underline them), and “structural markers”
VIP Very Important Phrase, the major thing author is communicating. Verbal Independent Proposition aka MVP Major VP
8 For gar=gives a reason for what he just said.
8a by grace dative case (ending) indicating means, feminine gender
8b you have been saved MVP/VIP Main Verbal Independent Proposition “you are having been saved”
8c through faith, dia preposition indicating means, with feminine noun, phrase modifies the verb
8d and that (is)* not of yourselves; and=conjunction joining two verbs, that= neuter pronoun, can't modify feminine noun (grace/faith),
must modify neuter noun or concept. *Ellipsis (implied verb)= is (usually the verb “to be/become”)
8e it is* the gift of God, it=pronoun
9a it is* not of works, Ellipsis
9b lest anyone should boast Hina 'ina 'iva=subordinating conjunction, when paired with a verb in the subjunctive mood (might or might not happen) it means Purpose. This clause gives the Purpose for another clause (clauses have a verb)
10 For gar gives a reason. V10 gives a Reason for the previous clause/verse/subject/section
10a we are His workmanship SVP subordinate verbal proposition
10b created in Christ Jesus subordinate participle with prepositional phrase ev+JC modifies verb
10c for good works, epi preposition phrase
10d which God prepared beforehand relative pronoun intro relative clause
10e that we should walk in them. Hina+subjunctive-purpose
INTERPRETATION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Develop an Exegetical Outline Express the relationship between clauses/phrases as answering the questions” What does it modify? (that's the Subject) How does it modify it? (that is the Complement)
Does this clause/phrase/word tell me Who? What? When? Where? Why? or How? about the Subject? Thus the modifier is the Complement.
Who? The One Who (to whom) does (to whom is done) the MVP is...the complement
What? The Thing Which/Content MVP is...the complement MAGIC Formula: Nuance..Subject...Complement
When? The Time When/Until MVP is...the complement see How to Study the Bible like Sherlock 'OLMES on Truthbase.net
Where? The Place Where/Sphere MVP is...the complement
Why? three nuances/shade of meaning: Purpose (intention), Reason (cause), Result (actually happens) The Purpose of the MVP is SO THAT/IN ORDER THAT...the complement; The Reason for the MVP is BECAUSE of...the complement; The Result of the MVP is THAT...the complement
How? Two nuances: Means (instrumentality/agency, has to be there for action to occur) Manner (color commentary, descriptive, what it looks like)
The Means of the MVP is BY...the complement; The Manner of the MVP is...the complement
A. 8a-c The Means by which believers are saved by grace, is through faith
A1 . 8a-b The Means by which Believers are saved is by grace
A1a. 8a The Means by which Believers are saved is by grace
A1b. 8b Believers are saved = MVP
A2. 8c The Means by which believers are saved by grace, is through faith
B. 8d-9a The Result of People being graciously saved by faith...
... is that salvation is a gift rather than by works
B1. 8d Salvation by faith (S by F) is not sourced in man
B2. 8e-9a The Result of S by F not originating in man is...
...it is the gift from God, not the result of man's works
B2a. 8e Salvation by faith is the gift of God
B2b. 9a Salvation by faith is not of works
C. 9b The Purpose of S by F being a gift rather than earned is so that no one should boast.
D. 10 The Reason no one should boast (in their salvation or works) is because God is the One who not only saved us apart from our works, but has even prepared works for us to do.
D1. 10a Believers are His workmanship BAHW = MVP of this verse
D2. 10b The Reason BAHW is because we created in/by (sphere or means) Christ Jesus
D3. 10c The Purpose of being created in Christ is for good works
D4. 10d The Manner of the good works is that God prepared them beforehand
D5. 10e The Purpose of God preparing good works is so that we should walk/live in them.
I. 2:1-3 Jews and Gentiles were equally deserving or wrath
II. 4-6 The Purpose of God graciously saving Jews and Gentiles together in Christ is so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
III. 8-10 The Reason God will manifest His rich grace in the future is because our Salvation and Works are functions of His grace
IV. 11-22 The Result of S&W being functions of His grace is that Jews and Gentiles are now one reconciled unified entity growing into a temple in which God can dwell.
APPLICATION: How does it work? What does the author/God expect the audience to do in response (worship)?
Live in unity, indwelt by God using grace to build the Body, knowing that we are equally deserving of wrath rather than grace.
