For we are God’s workmanshipThis phrase emphasizes the divine craftsmanship involved in the creation of believers. The Greek word for "workmanship" is "poiema," suggesting a work of art or masterpiece. This implies that believers are intentionally and intricately designed by God. In the biblical context, this reflects the creation narrative in Genesis, where God forms humanity with purpose and care. It also connects to
Psalm 139:14, where the psalmist acknowledges being "fearfully and wonderfully made."
created in Christ Jesus
This phrase highlights the new creation aspect of believers' identity. In2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul states that anyone in Christ is a new creation, indicating a transformation that occurs through faith in Jesus. This creation is not merely physical but spiritual, signifying a rebirth and renewal. The phrase underscores the centrality of Christ in the believer's life, as it is through Him that this new creation is possible.
to do good works
The purpose of this new creation is to engage in good works. This aligns withJames 2:26, which states that faith without works is dead, emphasizing that genuine faith manifests in actions. The cultural context of the early church involved a strong emphasis on community and service, reflecting Jesus' teachings in the Gospels about loving one's neighbor and serving others. These good works are not the means of salvation but the evidence of it.
which God prepared in advance
This phrase suggests divine foreknowledge and planning. It implies that God has a specific plan and purpose for each believer's life, echoingJeremiah 29:11, where God declares His plans for a hopeful future. Theologically, this speaks to the doctrine of predestination, where God, in His sovereignty, has ordained certain paths and actions for His people. It reassures believers of God's active role in their lives.
as our way of life
The phrase indicates that good works are not occasional acts but a continuous lifestyle. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where He calls His followers to be the light of the world, consistently reflecting God's character. The historical context of the early church involved living out one's faith in a way that was countercultural, often facing persecution. This lifestyle of good works serves as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.
2.
EphesusA major city in Asia Minor where the Ephesian church was located. It was a center of commerce and culture, and the church there faced various challenges from both pagan and Jewish influences.
3.
Christ JesusCentral to the Christian faith, Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God, through whom believers are created anew for good works.
4.
GodThe Creator and Father, who has prepared good works for believers to walk in, demonstrating His sovereignty and purpose for His creation.
5.
The ChurchThe collective body of believers in Christ, called to live out the good works prepared by God as a testimony to His grace and power.
Teaching Points
God's MasterpieceRecognize that as believers, we are God's workmanship, His masterpiece, crafted with care and purpose. This should instill a sense of value and identity rooted in God's creative work.
Purposeful CreationUnderstand that we are created in Christ Jesus for a specific purpose—to do good works. This purpose is not an afterthought but a central aspect of our new life in Christ.
Preordained PathAcknowledge that God has prepared these good works in advance. Our role is to walk in them, trusting in His guidance and provision.
Living TestimonyOur good works are a testimony to God's grace and power in our lives. They are not for our glory but to point others to Him.
Active FaithEmbrace the call to an active faith that manifests in good works, reflecting the transformation that has taken place within us through Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ephesians 2:10?
2.How does Ephesians 2:10 define our identity as God's "workmanship"?
3.What "good works" has God prepared for us to do?
4.How can we actively walk in the "good works" mentioned in Ephesians 2:10?
5.How does Ephesians 2:10 connect with James 2:17 about faith and works?
6.In what ways can we reflect being God's "workmanship" in daily life?
7.What does Ephesians 2:10 mean by "God’s workmanship" in our lives?
8.How does Ephesians 2:10 define "good works" prepared by God?
9.In what ways does Ephesians 2:10 challenge the concept of self-made success?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 2?
11.What does "created for good works" mean?
12.What does it mean to be God's workmanship?
13.What does it mean to live authentically?
14.What does it mean to be God's workmanship?What Does Ephesians 2:10 Mean
For we are God’s workmanshipPaul opens with “For we are God’s workmanship”, a reminder that each believer is a hand-crafted masterpiece of the Creator.Psalm 139:14 celebrates being “fearfully and wonderfully made,” andIsaiah 64:8 pictures God as the potter carefully shaping clay. This truth pushes back against feelings of insignificance:
• Value—like art signed by its Maker, we possess inherent worth (Psalm 100:3).
• Purpose—nothing in us is accidental; every trait can be turned to God’s glory (Exodus 4:11).
• Dependence—the artist doesn’t abandon the canvas; He continually refines us (Philippians 1:6).
Created in Christ JesusThe workmanship is “created in Christ Jesus,” not merely improved but re-created.2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” This new birth (John 3:3) joins us to Christ’s life, power, and righteous standing.Colossians 1:16 affirms that all things were created through Him; here Paul shows that spiritual rebirth is also His work. The phrase highlights:
• Union—our identity is inseparable from Jesus (Galatians 2:20).
• Empowerment—the same power that raised Christ now fuels our obedience (Ephesians 1:19-20).
• Family—we’re adopted into God’s household (Ephesians 2:19).
To do good worksGod’s artistry has a practical aim: “to do good works.” Salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet grace produces action.James 2:17 warns that faith without works is dead, andTitus 2:14 says Christ “redeemed us… to be zealous for good deeds.” Good works include:
• Acts of love—serving widows, orphans, neighbors (James 1:27).
• Generosity—sharing resources cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Witness—letting light shine so others glorify God (Matthew 5:16).
• Justice—defending the oppressed (Micah 6:8).
These deeds never earn salvation; they express it.
Which God prepared in advanceThe works were “prepared in advance.” Before our first breath, the Lord mapped out opportunities for obedience (Psalm 139:16).Jeremiah 1:5 shows God ordaining Jeremiah’s mission pre-birth, andRomans 8:29-30 speaks of divine forethought in salvation. This means:
• Assurance—nothing catches God off guard (Proverbs 16:9).
• Guidance—He orders our steps (Psalm 37:23).
• Significance—every task, large or small, is part of a larger design (Esther 4:14).
As our way of lifeThe ends, “as our way of life,” literally “that we should walk in them.” Good works aren’t sporadic stunts but the believer’s daily path.Colossians 1:10 urges us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” andGalatians 5:25 calls us to “keep in step with the Spirit.” Walking suggests:
• Continuity—obedience woven into routines.
• Progress—steady growth, not perfection overnight (Proverbs 4:18).
• Direction—following Christ’s footsteps (1 Peter 2:21).
summaryEphesians 2:10 paints a sweeping portrait: God the Master Craftsman recreates us in His Son, equips us for meaningful service, schedules our opportunities before we exist, and invites us to make those works our daily walk. We are saved entirely by grace, yet that grace propels us into a life that visibly reflects our Maker’s skill, Christ’s life, and the Spirit’s guidance.
(10)
We are his workmanship.--This verse, on the contrary, is unique and remarkable, characteristic of the idea with which this Epistle starts--the election and predestination of God, making us what we are--and applying it very strikingly, not only to the first regeneration, but even to the good works which follow it. The word rendered "workmanship" is only used elsewhere in
Romans 1:20, where it is applied to the "works" of God in creation. Probably here also it does not exclude our first creation. We are His wholly and absolutely. But the next clause shows that St. Paul refers especially to the "new creation" in Christ Jesus.
Created inChrist Jesus.--This creation, when spoken of distinctively, is the "new creation" (2Corinthians 5:17;Galatians 6:15); as, indeed, is the case below (Ephesians 2:15), "to create in Himself . . . one new man." In this passage, however, St. Paul dwells, not on distinction from the old creation, but rather on analogy to it; in both we are simply God's creatures.
Unto good works.--Properly,on the basis (or,condition) of good works (as inGalatians 5:13;1Thessalonians 4:17;2Timothy 2:14). The good works, in themselves future, being (as the next clause shows) contemplated as already existent in God's foreknowledge, and as an inseparable characteristic of the regenerate life. . . .
Verse 10. -
For we are his workmanship. Another illustration and evidence of grace. We have to be fashioned anew by God before we can do anything aright (see
2 Corinthians 5:17). Anything right in us is not the cause of grace, but its fruit. There seems to be no special reason for the change from the second to the first person.
Created in Christ Jesus for good works. So little inward capacity had we for such works, that we required to be created in Christ Jesus in order that we might do them. The inward new birth of the soul is indicated. When good works were required, this gracious change had to be wrought to secure them. The purpose of the new creation is to produce them. Christ "gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people of his own, zealous of good works." It is not good works first, and grace after; but grace first, and good works after (see
Titus 2:11, 14).
Which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. A further proof of the true origin of good works. They are the subjects of a Divine decree. Before the foundation of the world it was ordained that whoever should be saved by grace should walk in good works. The term "
walk," here denotes the habitual tenor of the life; it is to be spent in an atmosphere of good works. Here we have one of the Divine safeguards against the abuse of the doctrine of salvation by grace. When men hear of salvation irrespective of works, they are apt to fancy that works are of little use, and do not need to be carefully attended to. On the contrary, they are part of the Divine decree, and if we are not living a life of good works, we have no reason to believe that we have been saved by grace.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forγάρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.we areἐσμεν(esmen)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.[God’s]αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.workmanship,ποίημα(poiēma)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4161:A thing made, a work, workmanship. From poieo; a product, i.e. Fabric.createdκτισθέντες(ktisthentes)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2936:To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.ChristΧριστῷ(Christō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.JesusἸησοῦ(Iēsou)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.to doἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.goodἀγαθοῖς(agathois)Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 18:A primary word; 'good'.works,ἔργοις(ergois)Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.whichοἷς(hois)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.GodΘεὸς(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.prepared in advanceπροητοίμασεν(proētoimasen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4282:To prepare or appoint beforehand, predestine. From pro and hetoimazo; to fit up in advance.asἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.our way of life.περιπατήσωμεν(peripatēsōmen)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4043:From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.
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NT Letters: Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship created (Ephes. Eph. Ep) 
