The concept of "works" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of actions, deeds, and behaviors that are often discussed in relation to faith, righteousness, and salvation. While many scriptures explicitly categorize works in terms of good or evil, there are numerous passages where works are mentioned in a broader or unclassified context. These scriptures provide insight into the biblical understanding of human actions and their significance in the life of a believer.

General Understanding of Works

In the Bible, works are frequently associated with the evidence of one's faith and the manifestation of one's beliefs. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This verse highlights the intrinsic connection between faith and works, suggesting that genuine faith naturally produces works.

Works and Judgment

The Bible often speaks of works in the context of divine judgment. In Revelation 20:12 , it is written, "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This passage indicates that works play a role in the final judgment, where individuals are assessed based on their actions.

Works and Righteousness

While works are not the means of attaining righteousness, they are frequently depicted as the fruit of a righteous life. Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Here, works are portrayed as a natural outcome of being created anew in Christ, emphasizing that believers are called to live out their faith through good deeds.

Works and the Law

The relationship between works and the law is a recurring theme in the New Testament. Galatians 2:16 declares, "Know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." This verse underscores the distinction between works of the law and the faith that justifies, highlighting that adherence to the law alone cannot achieve salvation.

Works and Love

Works are often linked to the expression of love, both towards God and others. In 1 John 3:18 , believers are exhorted, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth." This passage emphasizes that love is demonstrated through tangible actions, reinforcing the idea that works are a vital expression of Christian love and compassion.

Works and Reward

The Bible also speaks of works in the context of reward. 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." This verse suggests that works are not only significant in judgment but also in the dispensation of divine rewards.

Works and Witness

Finally, works serve as a witness to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. In Matthew 5:16 , Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Here, works are depicted as a testimony to God's glory, drawing others to Him through the visible evidence of a believer's life.

These unclassified scriptures relating to works provide a comprehensive view of how the Bible addresses human actions, emphasizing their importance in the life of faith, their role in judgment, and their capacity to reflect God's love and righteousness to the world.Deuteronomy 6:25
And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.
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Deuteronomy 24:13
In any case you shall deliver him the pledge again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.
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Nehemiah 5:19
Think on me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
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Nehemiah 13:14
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
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Job 30:25
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
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Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed.
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Psalm 90:17
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be on us: and establish you the work of our hands on us; yes, the work of our hands establish you it.
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Psalm 106:30,31
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
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Jeremiah 22:15,16
Shall you reign, because you close yourself in cedar? did not your father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
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Ezekiel 14:14,20
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, said the Lord GOD.
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Ezekiel 18:5-9
But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
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Matthew 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
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Matthew 6:1-4
Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
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Matthew 10:42
And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
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Matthew 18:5
And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.
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Matthew 19:16-21
And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
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Matthew 25:34-46
Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
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Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
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Luke 10:25
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
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John 3:21
But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God.
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John 15:2-8,14
Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
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Acts 10:4,38
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial before God.
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Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
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1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
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2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
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Galatians 6:4
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
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Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
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Philippians 1:11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
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Philippians 2:13
For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
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Colossians 1:10
That you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
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Colossians 3:12-14,17
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
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1 Thessalonians 1:3,7,8
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
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2 Thessalonians 2:17
Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
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1 Timothy 2:10
But (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.
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1 Timothy 5:9,10
Let not a widow be taken into the number under three score years old, having been the wife of one man.
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1 Timothy 6:18,19
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
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2 Timothy 2:21
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared to every good work.
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2 Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
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Titus 3:1,2,8,14
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
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Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
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Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works:
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Hebrews 13:21
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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James 1:22-27
But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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James 3:13,17,18
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
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Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from now on: Yes, said the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.
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Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
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Why is salvation by works the predominantly held viewpoint? | GotQuestions.org

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Works: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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