What Does it Mean that We Are God's Workmanship? (Ephesians 2:10)

Ephesians 2:10 in Context

Ephesians 2 .10 says for we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Now this verse is often used to say that we are God's masterpiece.

Mankind is His crowning achievement. You are His work of art. But that's not actually the context. Now there are verses where you'll find it said we've been made in the image of God. Genesis 1 .27. So God created man in His own image.

The Image of God and Human Dignity

In Psalm 139 David says we are fearfully and wonderfully made and His works are wonderful. Everyone is made in the image of God. This is why we are to show perfect courtesy to all people because they bear the image of our Creator.

Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works

But not every person can say they are created in Christ Jesus. That applies only to His followers who have been brought from death to His life. Who is Paul talking to here? He's talking to Christians.

In the verses before he says that we were all once dead in our sins and under the wrath of God like the rest of mankind. We took the image we were created in, the image of God, and desecrated it with our sin.

But God who is rich in mercy made us alive together with Christ. Again that's only those who belong to Him. So we are His workmanship means those who are being sanctified, being made holy, created for good works.

The Believer Remade into the Image of the Son

Whose work is good? The works of Jesus of course. Those who are followers of Jesus will do the works that Jesus did. Everyone is made in the image of God but only the followers of Jesus are being remade into the image of the Son of God when we understand the text.