“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Not by works so that no one can boast — the explicit negation of ergon ('works') as salvific agent establishes justification by grace alone; the purpose clause hina mē tis kauchēsai ('that no one might boast') echoes Romans 3:27-28, making the exclusion of human merit central to Paul's soteriology.
Church Fathers on Ephesians 2:9
“That no man should glory.” That he may excite in us proper feeling touching this gift of grace. “What then?” says a man, “Hath He Himself hindered our being justified by works?” By no means. But no one, he says, is justified by works, in order that the grace and loving-kindness of God may be shown. He did not reject us as having works, but as abandoned of works He has saved us by grace; so that no man henceforth may have whereof to boast. And then, lest when you hear that…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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