God's Workmanship

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version, NIV)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation, NLT)

Consider these different renderings of Ephesians 2:10. One says we are God’s workmanship. Another says we’re His handiwork. Yet another says we are God’s masterpiece. Although they sound different, they are all correct and they work together to give us a fuller picture of what God has made us to be. The word that the KJV translates as workmanship is the Greek word poiem, which is where we get the English word poem. It means that which is made. It refers to us in this verse. We are God’s handiwork.

Created in Christ refers to the fact that we are new creations. When we were born-again, we became something entirely new. We’re God’s workmanship, handiwork, poem, and masterpiece. By God’s power and hands we became His handiwork; something artfully created. Skillfully and masterfully, God established us as new creations.

We’ve been made new to do good works. Now that we’re saved by Christ’s work at the cross, we have become His masterpiece, and the works we do point to the One who made us and then made us new. God ordained, or prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. God had a plan for us before we were born. He had good works for us to do before we took our first breath. I like how the Amplified Bible Classic Edition translates this verse.

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 1:20 (Amplified Bible Classic edition, AMPC)

This emphasizes the good life God has for each and every one of us as recreated born-again children of God.

Consider this:

We, as the works OF Christ, produce the works FOR Christ by Christ’s abilities. We walk in the plan of God, fulfilling it as we do good works. God created us (natural birth) and recreated us (spiritual birth) to produce good things for God’s glory. We, God’s masterpiece and handiwork, can do the good things He planned for us long ago. His workmanship is creating handiwork and masterpieces of our own to glorify Him.