8. kai; tou'to ...] And this saving energy of faith is not of yourselves: it is a gift, and the gift is GOD'S. The variation in construction occurs not unfrequently: ejx uJ. evolved as it were from the action of personal powers.
There is an underlying reference to the Law: cf. Rom. 3:20, 24. For
kai; tou'to
introducing a new element see 1 Cor. 6:6, 8; Phil. 1:28.
qeou' to; d.
] Comp. John 6:44.
9.
oujk ejx e[rgwn
] It is not the result of a natural evolution of character, and yet more, it is not the result of self-originated and selfsupported effort: it is
not of works, that no man may boast.
i{na mhv ti" kauc
.] Latt.
ut nequis glorietur
(al.
extollatur
). Self-assertion is fatal to spiritual life.
Comp. 1 Cor. 1:29; Rom. 3:27. There is indeed a right boasting: 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17; Gal. 6:14. The group of words kauca'sqai, kauvchma, kauvchsi" , is characteristic of St Paul. They occur in all groups of his Epistles excepting the Pastoral; elsewhere only in St James (James 1:9; 4:16) and Heb. 3:6.
10.
aujtou' gavr ejsmen p.
] V.
Ipsius enim sumus factura
(v. l.
figmentum
).
For it is His workmanshipof His makingwe are
... The position of the pronoun is emphatic. Cp. Eph. 2:14, 18.
poivhma
] Rom. 1:20; Is. 29:16. Very frequent in Eccles. e.g., 8:9. Diligenter observa quia non dixerit
Ipsius figuratio sumus atque plasmatio
, sed
ipsius factura sumus
... Factura primum locum tenet, deinde plasmatio (Hier.
ad loc.
).
ktisqevnte"...peripathvswmen
]
created in Christ Jesus for good works which God afore prepared that in them we should walk.
The words give the whole history of the Christian life from the divine and from the human side. The Christian is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), not alone and independent, but in Christ: he is not left to self- chosen activity, but set for the accomplishment of definite works which God has made ready for his doing: his works are prepared, and so the fulfilment of his particular duty is made possible; and still it is necessary that he should accept it with that glad obedience which is perfect freedom.
ktisqevnte"
] That which is realised in time through faith is referred to its origin in the primal Divine action. Comp. Eph. 1:4; Col. 1:16 f.
Ktivzw emphasises a new beginning, a creation. It is used characteristically of the creation of the natural order: Mark 13:19; Rom. 1:25; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Apoc. 4:11; and of particular parts of it: 1 Cor. 11:9; 1 Tim. 4:3; Apoc. 10:6. It is used also of spiritual acts of creation both social: Eph. 2:15, archetypal: Eph. 4:24 (Col. 3:10), and personal as here.
However definitely the action of the Christian may be limited by his inheritance and his environment, by his powers and his circumstances, he is still responsibly free; and by true service he can realise his freedom. No necessity constrains him, but in Christ he can fulfil his own part.
ejpi; e[rgoi" ajgaqoi'"
] Latt.
in operibus bonis
: some more adequately
in opera bona, on the condition of ...for
... Comp. 1 Thess. 4:7
ejpi; ajkaqarsiva/
, Gal. 5:13.
prohtoivmasen
] Rom. 9:23. We ourselves and our works, so far as they are our true works, are alike of God's making.
4. Union of Jews and Gentiles in one Divine Body
(2:11-22).
The special significance of the call of the Gentiles (Eph. 2:11-22). After indicating the great mysteries of the Christian Faith, which he prays that the