Charles Spurgeon Commentary Ephesians 2:8-9

"for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory." — Ephesians 2:8-9 (ASV)

Through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We would surely boast if we could. We are a boasting people. Man is a poor mass of flesh and is largely given to the corruption of pride; he will boast if he can.

And that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

"Oh!" said one to me just now, "the man who is saved by his own righteousness cannot do much in the line of praising." "No, my dear brother," I replied, "except he praises himself; and he can generally do that pretty well." Your self-made man usually worships his creator very earnestly; and your self-saved man glorifies him that saved him.