There is no such thing as a “self-made” man or woman unless you are speaking about all the problems in our lives. Any good thing in us, especially our salvation, is all a product of God’s grace. The only part we have to play is either acceptance or rejection. We don’t save ourselves.

Note 25
The Greek word for “workmanship” used here is “POIEMA,” and it means “that which is made” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). The word signifies that which is manufactured, a product, a design produced by an artisan (Word Wealth, Spirit-Filled Life Bible). It is the word from which we get our English word “poem.” We are God’s poem–His work of art. It is just as foolish for us to boast of our part in salvation as it would be for a masterpiece painting to boast of painting itself.

Note 26
There is a vast difference between being saved by good works and being saved unto good works, as stated here. Good works do not gain us salvation, but they do affirm that salvation has been received into our lives. Good works cannot produce a new nature, but a new nature should produce good works.

Note 27
Today’s English Version translates this verse as “God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.” God has ordained a perfect plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11), but He does not force that plan to come to pass (Romans 8:29). We have the choice (Deuteronomy 30:19).