Topical Bible: Punishment: According to Deeds

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The concept of punishment according to deeds is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the principle of divine justice and moral accountability. This principle asserts that individuals will be judged and recompensed based on their actions, both in this life and in the hereafter.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the principle of retributive justice. In the Mosaic Law, the idea of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) underscores the notion that punishment should be proportionate to the offense. This legal framework was designed to maintain social order and justice among the Israelites.

The book of Proverbs frequently highlights the correlation between one's actions and their consequences. Proverbs 24:12 states, "If you say, 'Behold, we did not know about this,' does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not He who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?" This verse emphasizes God's omniscience and His role as the ultimate judge who discerns and rewards or punishes based on human conduct.

Prophetic Writings

The prophets also echo this theme, often warning Israel and other nations of impending judgment due to their sinful actions. In Jeremiah 17:10 , the Lord declares, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This passage reinforces the idea that God evaluates the inner motives and outward actions of individuals, ensuring that justice is served.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to affirm the principle of punishment according to deeds, with a heightened focus on eternal consequences. Jesus Himself teaches about the final judgment, where individuals will be separated based on their actions. In Matthew 16:27 , Jesus states, "For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this principle in his epistles. In Romans 2:6-8 , Paul writes, "God 'will repay each one according to his deeds.' To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger." This passage underscores the dual outcomes of divine judgment: eternal life for the righteous and wrath for the wicked.

Eschatological Perspective

The book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their deeds. Revelation 20:12 describes this scene: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This imagery reinforces the certainty of divine justice and the ultimate accountability of every individual before God.

Moral and Theological Implications

The biblical principle of punishment according to deeds serves as a moral compass, urging believers to live righteously and to uphold justice. It reflects God's holiness and His commitment to righteousness, reminding humanity of the serious consequences of sin and the rewards of faithful obedience. This principle also highlights the need for repentance and the transformative power of God's grace, which enables believers to pursue a life that aligns with His will.

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Job 34:11
For the work of a man shall he render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
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Psalm 62:12
Also to you, O Lord, belongs mercy: for you render to every man according to his work.
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Proverbs 12:14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
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Proverbs 24:12
If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
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Isaiah 59:18
According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.
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Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
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Ezekiel 7:3,27
Now is the end come on you, and I will send my anger on you, and will judge you according to your ways, and will recompense on you all your abominations.
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Ezekiel 16:59
For thus said the Lord GOD; I will even deal with you as you have done, which have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.
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Ezekiel 39:24
According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done to them, and hid my face from them.
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Zechariah 1:6
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so has he dealt with us.
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Matthew 5:22
But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
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Matthew 16:27
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
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Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.
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Luke 12:47,48
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
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Luke 20:47
Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
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Library

The Times of the Captivity have Been Rendered Illustrious by the ...
... of the captivity have been rendered illustrious by the predictions and deeds of
the ... And, as she was being led away to punishment according to the law, Daniel ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter i the times of.htm

Whether Deeds Deadened by Sin, are Revived by Penance?
... and give joy to the saints, according to Apoc ... Hence it follows that deeds previously
deadened, recover, through ... further stain or debt of punishment is incurred ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether deeds deadened by sin.htm

Of the Way in which Auger Should be Banished According to the ...
... anger has been removed, not from the surface of acts and deeds, but from ... his purpose
and desires and wishes, either a reward or a punishment; according to that ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xx of the way.htm

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... acts of luxury before enumerated bring tortures and punishment upon them ... they suffered
justly, and were punished (epaideuthesan) according to their deeds.". ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

Whether Works done Without Charity Merit Any, at Least Temporal ...
... from Gods else the latter need not be advised to do any good deeds. ... On the other
hand, an evil deed deserves an equivalent punishment according to the measure ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether works done without charity.htm

Of the Creation, Sin, and Punishment of Man; and of Angels, Both ...
... XXVII."Of the Creation, Sin, and Punishment of Man; And ... Then death came upon man
according to the sentence ... But that serpent, who from his deeds received the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxvii of the creation sin.htm

What Occurred to Romanus on the Same Day at Antioch...
... fortitude and showed to all by his deeds that the ... 4. After this punishment he was
thrown into prison, and ... the emperor being near, [2631] when, according to an ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii what occurred to.htm

Whether all Human Affairs are Subject to the Eternal Law?
... says that "he is under the law, who refrains from evil deeds, through fear ... of God,
as regards passion; since it deserves to suffer punishment according to the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all human affairs are.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... of a messenger from God, commissioned to denounce the punishment which awaits ... persons,
shall appear before God, and be recompensed according to their deeds. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

On those Attributes of God which have Some Analogy to the Moral ...
... Justice In deeds may be considered in the following ... according to the first creation,
or according to regeneration. ... of a reward, and the threat of a punishment. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxi on those attributes.htm