In the context of Christian theology, "merits" refer to the concept of earning favor or reward from God through good works or righteous behavior. This concept is often discussed in relation to salvation, grace, and the believer's relationship with God. The Bible presents a nuanced view of merits, emphasizing both the importance of righteous living and the primacy of God's grace.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a demonstration of faithfulness. For instance, Deuteronomy 6:25 states, "And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness." Here, righteousness is linked to adherence to the law, suggesting a form of merit based on obedience.

However, the Old Testament also acknowledges that human efforts are insufficient without God's intervention. Isaiah 64:6 declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This verse highlights the limitations of human righteousness and the need for divine grace.

New Testament Context

The New Testament shifts the focus from human merit to divine grace, particularly in the context of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, "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 underscores that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned by human effort.

Nevertheless, the New Testament does not dismiss the importance of good works. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This suggests that while good works do not earn salvation, they are evidence of genuine faith and a transformed life.

Theological Implications

The concept of merits is often discussed in the context of the doctrine of justification. In Protestant theology, particularly within Reformed traditions, justification is understood as being by faith alone (sola fide), emphasizing that human merit plays no role in achieving salvation. This view is supported by passages such as Romans 3:28 , "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

In contrast, some Christian traditions, such as Roman Catholicism, hold that while initial justification is by grace, human cooperation through good works contributes to one's sanctification and ultimate salvation. This perspective is informed by passages like Philippians 2:12-13 , "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now even more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure."

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of merits serves as a reminder of the balance between faith and works. While salvation is a gift of grace, Christians are called to live lives that reflect their faith through acts of love, service, and obedience to God's commandments. Galatians 5:6 encapsulates this balance: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love."

Ultimately, the discussion of merits in the Bible points to the transformative power of God's grace, which enables believers to live righteously and fulfill their calling as followers of Christ.6666. tsedaqah -- righteousness
... Word Origin from the same as tsedeq Definition righteousness NASB Word Usage honesty
(1), justice (1), merits (1), right (2), righteous (1), righteous acts (3 ...
/hebrew/6666.htm - 6k

Whether the Foreknowledge of Merits is the Cause of Predestination ...
... OF PREDESTINATION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the foreknowledge of merits
is the cause of predestination? Objection 1: It seems that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the foreknowledge of merits.htm

Whether the Foreknowledge of Merits is the Cause of Predestination
... Article Five Whether the Foreknowledge of Merits is the Cause of Predestination.
Whether the Foreknowledge of Merits is the Cause of Predestination ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article five whether the foreknowledge.htm

Whether any Merits Preceded the Union of the Incarnation?
... OF THE MODE OF UNION OF THE WORD INCARNATE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether any
merits preceded the union of the Incarnation? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any merits preceded the.htm

A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the ...
... a treatise on the merits and forgiveness of sins, and on the baptism of infants.
Extract from Augustin's "Retractations," Book II. Chap.23,. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/a treatise on the merits.htm

I Brought My Merits to the Throne,
... JUDGMENT I brought my merits to the throne,. 8,8,8,8,8,8 tr., John Brownlie. I.
I brought my merits to the throne,. And set them forth in order there; ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the east/i brought my merits to.htm

How, by the Merits of Brother Giles, the Soul of the Friend of a ...
... THE LIFE OF THE BLESSED BROTHER GILES, COMPANION OF ST FRANCIS CHAPTER IX HOW, BY
THE MERITS OF BROTHER GILES, THE SOUL OF THE FRIEND OF A FRIAR PREACHER WAS ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter ix how by the.htm

A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the ...
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants.
by aurelius augustin, bishop of hippo; In Three Books,. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/a treatise on the merits 2.htm

Eusebius as a Historian. The Merits and Defects of his History.
... Chapter III Eusebius' Church History. Section 3. Eusebius as a Historian.
The Merits and Defects of his History. The whole Christian ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 3 eusebius as a.htm

How the Merits of Each Man Should not be Judged by his Miracles.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter VI. How the merits of each man
should not be judged by his miracles. And so these men gave ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vi how the merits.htm

Whether an Angel Merits his Beatitude?
... OF THE PERFECTION OF THE ANGELS IN THE ORDER OF GRACE AND OF GLORY (NINE
ARTICLES) Whether an angel merits his beatitude? Objection ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel merits his.htm

Merits (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Merits (1 Occurrence). Daniel 9:18 Incline, O
my God, Thine ear, and hear, open Thine eyes and see our ...
/m/merits.htm - 6k

Merit (5 Occurrences)
... worth; excellence. 3. (n.) Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence
or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits. 4. (n ...
/m/merit.htm - 8k

Immaculate
... blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a
singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ ...
/i/immaculate.htm - 16k

Conception (6 Occurrences)
... blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a
singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ ...
/c/conception.htm - 19k

Old (3966 Occurrences)
... The account, which belongs mostly to the oldest stratum of the Genesis story (Jahwist)
merits careful attention, because evolutionary science, history, and new ...
/o/old.htm - 101k

Judgment (430 Occurrences)
... 6:2], let us be concerned for the welfare of our immortal interests, flee to the
refuge set before us, improve our precious time, depend on the merits of the ...
/j/judgment.htm - 52k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who has skill, knowledge, or experience, sufficient to decide on the
merits of a question, or on the quality or value of anything; one who discerns ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)
... It is a payment of the debt of justice to God by the application of the merits of
Christ and his saints to the contrite soul through the church. ...
/i/indulgence.htm - 8k

Retribution (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the
merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or ...
/r/retribution.htm - 29k

Daysman (1 Occurrence)
... Job 9:33) the word means an arbitrator, umpire, referee; one who stands in a judicial
capacity between two parties, and decides upon the merits of their ...
/d/daysman.htm - 9k

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