<p>2:9 <i>It is not of works, that no one should boast</i>- As noted on :8, faith cannot be passive; it will issue in works. But those works are not the basis of our salvation. And Paul emphasizes this. For both Judaism and paganism considered works as the basis for salvation. The good news of salvation without works is unique to true Christianity. The connections with Romans continue here, in that boasting was associated with Jewish boasting in legalistic obedience (Rom. 2:17,23). Our boasting instead is in our sure hope of salvation by grace through the cross of the Lord Jesus (s.w. Rom. 5:2,11; 2 Cor. 12:9; Gal. 6:14).</p>