"...lest any man should boast"

bmerr · Nov 30, 2005

To All,

bmerr here. I'm sure all are aware of the text referred to in the title of this thread - Eph 2:8-9. Just for the record, here it is:

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.

Now some may say, "We've been over all this before! Give it a rest!" That's fine. Nobody has to respond if they don't want to.

But lately I've been thinking about something that was brought to my attention. Many teach form this passage that Paul rejects works of any kind as having a part in the salvation of man. But the works Paul here condemns are works of which one could boast.

Matt 7:21-23 comes to mind, where the religious lost are turned away at the Judgement. Notice their words,

"Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy7 name done many wonderful works?"

These folks are boasting of their works done in their religion. The works they did did not save them, nor were they evidence that they were saved. It is possible (and quite common) for lost people to seem religious and do good things. Doubtless they fool others as well as themselves.

In contrast, let's look at those mentioned in Luke 17:10, where it is written,

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

These had done all things commanded them, and yet they were not boastful. When one obeys God's commands, he has nothing of which to boast. It's God's plan, not his.

You see, a good master knows what his servants are doing. They do not have to bring their deeds to his attention. With this in mind, let me say that Jesus Christ is a Good Master. He knoweth them that are His.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

In Christ,

bmerr

Rev. Lowery · Dec 2, 2005

bmerr, Brother I have something to say

AMEN and PRAISE THE LORD.
You hit the nail on the head.
You go ahead and you do what God lays on your heart tell us brother.
The word is truth and in it no lies can be found.

Rev. Jerry D. Lowery

bmerr · Dec 2, 2005

Mr. Lowery,

Thank you for the kind words, but God did not "lay" anything "on my heart". The Bible commands us to reprove the unfuitful works of darkness (Eph 5:11), and that the Scriptures are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).

I am merely doing that which is my duty to do.

In Christ,

bmerr

P.S. I do appreciate the attaboy, though.

webdog · Dec 4, 2005

These folks are boasting of their works done in their religion. The works they did did not save them, nor were they evidence that they were saved. It is possible (and quite common) for lost people to seem religious and do good things. Doubtless they fool others as well as themselves.
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To claim that the works being boasted of in Ephesians 2 as works done in their religion is pure eisegesis. Works are works, period. Grace plus works equals "no grace". We are saved by God's grace...through our faith in Him. Period. Works...any kind of works...play no role whatsoever in our justification.

BobRyan · Dec 4, 2005

The text says "For we have been created for Good works ... which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

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 as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
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In fact we are commanded NOT to walk in sin -- Same book same message to the same church.

Eph 5
3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6Let [v]no one deceive you[/b] with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
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...

Eph 5
15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
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BobRyan · Dec 4, 2005

Ephesians 4
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

....

Eph 4
17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,

Eph 4
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.
26 BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you
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