The concept of "deserves" in the Bible often relates to the idea of justice, reward, and punishment, reflecting God's righteous nature and His expectations for human behavior. The term is frequently associated with what individuals are deemed worthy of receiving based on their actions, whether it be blessings, rewards, or consequences.

Divine Justice and Human Actions

The Bible consistently emphasizes that God is just and that He rewards or punishes individuals according to their deeds. In the Old Testament, this principle is evident in passages such as Deuteronomy 24:16, which states, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin." This underscores the idea that each person is accountable for their own actions and deserves consequences accordingly.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reiterates this principle in Romans 2:6, "God 'will repay each one according to his deeds.'" This passage highlights the belief that God's judgment is based on the actions of individuals, and they will receive what they deserve, whether good or bad.

Grace and Mercy

While the Bible affirms that individuals deserve consequences for their actions, it also introduces the concepts of grace and mercy, which transcend human deserving. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage emphasizes that salvation is not something humans can earn or deserve through their actions; rather, it is a gift from God.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) further illustrates this concept. In this parable, workers hired at different times of the day receive the same wage, demonstrating that God's grace is not based on human merit but on His generosity.

Human Deserving and Humility

The Bible also teaches that humans should approach the concept of deserving with humility. In Luke 17:10, Jesus instructs, "So you also, when you have done everything commanded you, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" This reflects the understanding that, despite fulfilling God's commands, humans should recognize their unworthiness and reliance on God's grace.

Consequences of Sin

The Bible is clear that sin has consequences, and individuals deserve punishment for their transgressions. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse contrasts what humans deserve due to sin—death—with the gift of eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

Reward for Righteousness

Conversely, the Bible also speaks of rewards for righteousness. In Matthew 5:12, Jesus encourages those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, saying, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." This promise of heavenly reward underscores the belief that God recognizes and rewards faithful service and righteousness.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of "deserves" is multifaceted, encompassing divine justice, human accountability, and the transformative power of grace. While individuals are accountable for their actions and deserve corresponding consequences, the Bible also reveals God's mercy and grace, offering salvation and blessings beyond human deserving.566. apechei -- it is enough.
... Cognate: 566 -- literally, "have from," referring to having "" -- ie all that something
deserves (what is due, Mk 14:41). See 568 (). Word Origin third pers. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/566.htm - 6k

3741. hosios -- righteous, pious, holy
... law), ie () and hence (). [3741 in classical Greek likewise refers to what
deserves.]. Word Origin a prim. word Definition righteous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3741.htm - 7k

3420. mneme -- memory, remembrance
... lasting memory"). This "memorial" (memory) deserves to be , ie remembered
to honor an important concept or teaching. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3420.htm - 6k

4573. sebazomai -- to fear, spec. to have reverential awe
... of. Cognate: 4573 -- to revere; be in awe by one's own definition of what
deserves reverence (used only in Ro 1:25). See 4576 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4573.htm - 6k

1868. epainos -- praise
... fitting," which intensifies 136 , "praise") -- properly, () praise, ie acknowledgment
(appropriate commendation, recognition); acknowledgment for what deserves ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1868.htm - 7k

1777. enochos -- held in, bound by, liable to (a condition ...
... Word Origin from enecho Definition held in, bound by, liable to (a condition, penalty
or imputation) NASB Word Usage deserves (1), deserving (1), guilty (6 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1777.htm - 6k

4587. semnotes -- seriousness
... admiration). See 4586 (). This root (-) refers to what deserves; it has
a "sense of , that invites reverence" (R. Trench). 4587 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4587.htm - 7k

1576. gemul -- a dealing, recompense, benefit
... benefit NASB Word Usage benefit (1), benefits (1), dealings (1), deeds (1), deserved*
(1), good deed (1), recompense (11), recompense* (1), what he deserves* (1 ...
/hebrew/1576.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), support (1), support* (1), swore* (12), sworn* (4), tenons (6), through (60),
times (2), undertake* (2), undertakings* (3), what he deserves* (1), wrists (3 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

1121. ben -- son
... and children's (1), children's (2), children's children (5), colt (1), colts (1),
common (2), descendants (14), descendants of the son (1), deserves (2), exiles ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

What Self Deserves
... What Self Deserves. A Sermon (No.3506). Published on Thursday, April 6th, 1916.
Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At [14]the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/what self deserves.htm

Whether a Human Action Deserves Praise or Blame, by Reason of Its ...
... OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN ACTIONS BY REASON OF THEIR GOODNESS AND MALICE (FOUR
ARTICLES) Whether a human action deserves praise or blame, by reason of its ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a human action deserves.htm

Whatever is Born through Concupiscence is not Undeservedly in ...
... I. Chapter 26."Whatever is Born Through Concupiscence is Not Undeservedly in Subjection
to the Devil by Reason of Sin; The Devil Deserves Heavier Punishment ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 26 whatever is born through.htm

Expiation
... trying now to expound the doctrine of Christ's being an offering for sin, we will
begin by laying down one great axiom; which is, that SIN DESERVES AND DEMANDS ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/expiation.htm

The Wrath of God
... Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves
the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Galatians 3:10. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/3 3 the wrath of god.htm

Our Deserts
... against this world, and against mankind; one hears it said that people are unjust,
unfair, cruel; that in this world no man can expect to get what he deserves. ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxviii our deserts.htm

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... Christians. Many a sinner sees its relation to God to be such that it deserves
eternal death, but his heart does not go with his opinions. ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm

Attributes of Love.
... It is good-will viewed in relation to one who deserves punishment. Mercy,
considered as a feeling or phenomenon of the sensibility ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xiv attributes of love.htm

Love
... We can never love God so much as he deserves. The angels in heaven cannot love God
so much as he deserves. (4) Love to God must be active in its sphere. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 2 love.htm

Ninth Letter
... Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the love of Him, all that is not
Himself; He deserves infinitely more. Let us think of Him perpetually. ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/ninth letter.htm

Deserves (25 Occurrences)
...Deserves (25 Occurrences). Matthew 10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of
linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food. (WEY RSV). ...
/d/deserves.htm - 13k

Deserve (40 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil);
to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; a work of ...
/d/deserve.htm - 18k

Discovered (46 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 23:22 A third time he appealed to them: "Why, what crime has the man
committed? I have discovered in him nothing that deserves death. ...
/d/discovered.htm - 21k

Secrets (26 Occurrences)
... to light the secrets of darkness and will openly disclose the motives that have
been in people's hearts; and then the praise which each man deserves will come ...
/s/secrets.htm - 14k

Deserved (11 Occurrences)

/d/deserved.htm - 10k

Arabia (9 Occurrences)
... southern angle where the mountains are highest there are two rainy seasons, one
in spring the other in autumn, so that this province well deserves its Grecian ...
/a/arabia.htm - 43k

Fall (522 Occurrences)
... earth. Moreover, the idea that sexual desire is something sinful and deserves
punishment was entirely foreign to ancient Israel. ...
/f/fall.htm - 62k

Vulgate
... Epistle cvi.2 deserves citing in this connection: "Admoneo alia m esse editionem
quam Origenes et Caesariensis Eusebius omnesque Graeciae translatores (koinen ...
/v/vulgate.htm - 38k

Verdict (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Verdict (7 Occurrences). Matthew 26:66 What is
your verdict?" "He deserves to die," they replied. (WEY). ...
/v/verdict.htm - 8k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... by (their) words"). 2. New Testament Usage: The New Testament usage of these
words deserves special attention. The word most frequently ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

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