Ephesians 2:8-10

Faith is a gift of the Father…salvation is a choice.

People cannot accomplish salvation through their own effort.

Works, the Greek word, ergon, may refer to the Jewish law or to specific components of the law that are related to Jewish ethnic identity (i.e., circumcision, food laws, Sabbath observance). The idea of works also might include any actions motivated by a desire to earn favor or right standing with God. Faithlife Bible.

The grace of God is the source of salvation; faith is the channel, not the cause. God alone saves. Salvation never originates in the efforts of people; it always arises out of the lovingkindness of God. Truly, “salvation is of the Lord”. The past tense of the verb saved in this passage indicates that the believer’s salvation has already occurred in the past, at the Cross. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation. Some suggest that the gift of God modifies the word faith in this verse. Thus Paul is saying that even our belief in God does not originate in ourselves. This too is a gift. NKJ Bible.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NKJV)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.