“Salvation is not by works”. This is a reality that astonishes many religious fanatics or puritans. Nobody wants to accept that we are saved by the grace of God, because we are all used to receiving gratification for everything, sometimes it is even necessary for us.
But can you imagine that salvation was by works? Surely there would be people in heaven or on earth saying “Hey, I deserve salvation more than you” or “I’m a super saint and this one over there didn’t deserve salvation.” We might even question God about who is saved and who is not.
God knows humanity, and he had good reasons to say “Not by works so that no one can boast.” But quite apart from this, our Lord is a God of love and mercy, and he knows that his creation could not have saved itself; he is a sinner and needed a big sacrifice to redeem his sin, so he sent his son as a lamb.
In the Bible, there are many passages that speak of the sacrifice of Christ and show that salvation is not by works and is not from us but comes from God. Throughout this study, we will mention and explain some quotes. In addition, we will give a detailed explanation of the meaning of this statement.
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Five scriptures where Paul says that salvation is not by works
Jesus said to him: ‘I’m the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me‘” (John 14:6). Basically, there are two religions in the world: religions that say that men must believe in God and do good works to be received in heaven and there is a Christianity that says: “Christ has done all the work, come to him by faith“.
Justification is by grace alone through faith, by the work of Christ alone, and according to Scripture to the glory of God. Here are several of the Scriptures where Paul specifically says that salvation is not by works, but that we are saved by grace:
1. Titus 3:4-8
“But when the goodness and mercy of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of our works done justly, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly. through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs according to the hope of eternal life”.
This is a gospel so clear that it touches every point of the word. Basically, Paul is saying: “Salvation is not a work of men, but a work of God”. You have God the Father saving according to his mercy through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit who is given by Christ our Savior.
This work takes us to heaven as heirs of eternal life. Nowhere in this passage is there room for man to work because God has done it all.
2. Galatians 3: 10-14
For all who trust in the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not comply with all things written in the book of the law. Now, it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, because “The just shall live by faith. But the law is not by faith, but “he who fulfills them will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree, so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit. through faith.
Galatians is the book where Paul takes off his gloves and challenges works-based salvation, specifically the heresy of the Party of the . The Circumcision Party was teaching that faith in Christ was necessary, but one also had to be circumcised to be truly saved (Acts 15:1-5).
Paul makes the point very clear. If one is going to be saved by circumcision, then he must keep all the law perfectly. Since no one has done that, all those who trust in the works of the law are cursed! However, salvation is not by works; Christ has redeemed us from the law by being cursed for us.
3. Ephesians 2:8-9
Because by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your doing; it is a gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one can boast.
To understand the full content of this statement, we must take this verse in its proper context. In chapter 2, verses 1-3, Paul describes the total depravity of man and the total unworthiness of man’s salvation. Then in verses 4-7 he shows the mercy of God summed up so beautifully in those first two words “But God“
God has proposed to show the greatness of his love, mercy and grace in the work of Christ for the rebellious who do not deserve it. That is where we come to our text. Like Titus 3:4-8 previously published, it is shown that salvation is the work of God in which we cannot contribute.
We cannot contribute anything because salvation is not by works; God’s purpose in it has always been to show his greatness, not ours. Therefore, the gospel was planned in such a way that leaves no room for boasting or human deeds.
4. Romans 3:20, 28
Because by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his eyes, since by the law comes the knowledge of sin.
Because we hold that one is justified by faith without works of the law.
We would recommend reading Romans 3:20-28 from beginning to end, but for the sake of the length of the article we will only cover these two. Paul addresses the question: how is man made righteous in the eyes of God? He might call the book of Romans the exposition of Room 2: 4” what does it say “the just shall live by faith”.
Paul is going to show how the whole world, both Jews and Gentiles, is condemned by God’s law for not keeping it perfectly. Thus, Paul shows us the proper use of the law, that is, he shows us our sin. If the law was given to show us our sin, then it cannot be the means by which we are saved, but rather it is the work of Christ that saves us as Paul states in verses 21-26.
5. 2 Timothy 1: 8-10
Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner, but participate in the sufferings for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not by our works, but for our cause. His own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which has now been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Second Timothy is considered Paul’s last epistle. In this letter, he is encouraging his protégé Timothy to hold on to the gospel. He reminds her in the midst of suffering to hold on to the testimony of the gospel. What gospel is that? Is it a gospel of works? Nope.
Paul calls Timothy to remember the gospel of grace that Christ is the true Savior. Without our help, Christ “abolished death and brought life and immortality through the gospel”. Therefore, salvation is not by works but by the grace of Christ. There are many other verses that talk about salvation not being by works, but these are the five scriptures that best represent this reality that many have forgotten or ignored.
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The meaning of ‘not by works’ in Ephesians 2:8-10
Over the years, Christians come to love certain passages in the Bible. Definitely, John 3:16 it’s at the top of our list of favorite verses. Another passage that we treasure is Ephesians 2:8-10, because here we find one of the best explanations of the meaning of salvation:
“For by grace you are saved, through faith – and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do.”.
“This is not from ourselves, it is a gift from God, that is, salvation is not by works, so that no one can boast. Each component of this passage is fundamental. And certainly this section is essential, because it teaches that salvation It doesn’t come from ourselves or from anything we do, it’s all God’s work. Salvation cannot be earned by doing “good works”; rather, it is received as a gift, the result of God’s work through Christ. Let’s look at each fragment of the passage:
1. This is not from yourselves
What is this “this” that is not of us? Salvation does not come from ourselves. We had nothing to do with her. It is not a human achievement; rather it is a divine accomplishment, something only God can do.
2. Not by works, so that no one can boast
If salvation is by grace and faith, it is impossible for us to earn it by our good deeds. Grace and works are mutually exclusive. It has to be one thing or the other; and since Paul has already told us that salvation is not by works but through God’s grace, then it cannot be the result of man’s action (through his works).
Now, let’s apply this verse to the question of the ages: “What do I need to do to get to heaven?” When we ask this question, we are usually asking for a list of “works” (good deeds) that would guarantee eternal life to the performer. Based on this passage, there are no good works that allow a person to earn salvation.
Since salvation is the result of God, there is nothing a person can do to deserve it. Even if you’ve done a million good deeds, you’re still a sinner, and even if you’ve only committed one sin (and you haven’t believed in Jesus as the only person who can save you from the penalty of that sin). , that one sin is enough to keep you out of heaven forever.
And that is why Paul says that salvation is a gift from God to man.. It is freely given to whoever receives it by faith. Paul affirms in verse 9 that salvation is not by works, so that no one can boast. If doing a million good deeds were the price it cost to earn eternal life, you really would have something to brag about, wouldn’t you? You really would be something special.
But Salvation Is About God’s Greatness, Not Ours. Salvation is nothing to brag about, because we didn’t do the work to get it—Jesus did all the work when he died on the cross. He is the only one who has the right to brag about it. Unfortunately, many have misinterpreted the Bible’s teaching on salvation by faith rather than works.
Virtually every other religion teaches some version of “salvation by works” or “salvation by faith and works” rather than the biblical truth of salvation by grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone. Even among professing Christians, this teaching can be a hard pill to swallow. Because of our pride, we have convinced ourselves that we must earn our salvation instead of receiving it as a gift that…