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There seems to be much confusion in the religious world as to the “works” spoken of in the Bible.
When people cannot properly discern the meaning of the works being discussed in each context, it can lead to much confusion and dangerous doctrines.
The fact is when the Bible is speaking of “works” there are 3 kinds of works that are discussed in the various contexts of the Bible.
The Bible speaks of:
1. The “works” that were done under the Law of Moses.
2. The “works” that are to be done when we are obeying His word, “works of obedience.”
3. Meritorious “works” – working in the sense of trying to earn something.
When we do not properly understand this and assign one meaning to all the “works” mentioned, it makes the Bible hard to understand and seem to be in contrition with itself.
For example, notice the following verses of scripture:
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These 4 passages seem to be in total contraction to each other.
Are these passages speaking of works under the law of Moses, meritorious works, or works of obedience?
The only way to answer this question is by the context of each passage. We cannot assign one meaning to all of these passages because if we do so then the passages are contracting each other.
In examining the above passages quoted in the book of Romans it is evident that in this context the “works” are referring to the “works” under the Law of Moses.
The rest of Paul’s statements show him trying to convince the Romans that one cannot be saved by the “works of the law”. This is shown by the context of comparing circumcision (a work under the law.)
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the circumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
In the context of James we see being discussed the “works” of obedience, or “good works” that all Christians must do:
Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
These are things we must “Do”. We know he is not speaking of the works under the Law of Moses, because this would not agree to what Paul taught to the Romans. It is not speaking of meritorious works because we cannot earn salvation by doing “good deeds”
We must maintain “good works” this in no way makes grace of no effect.
Finally in Eph 2 we see Paul speaking to them and rebuking any kind of pride in them thinking they were saved because they were deserving of God sending His son to die. Once again the context reveals to us that Paul is speaking of meritorious works:
Paul immediately starts in verse 1 showing the Ephesians that they were dead in sins.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
Paul is showing them what grace is, God giving them what they do not deserve – Christ.
It was because of the fact that God is “rich in mercy” and “loves us” that they can become a child of God, even thought they had sinned in “times past.”
It is clear that God did not extend this beautiful grace because they deserved it.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is the same message God has told His people since the beginning:
Deu 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Deu 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We are never to think we are deserving of the price that had to be paid.
If the Ephesians dissevered God ‘s grace then they could boast, but they did not so they had nothing to boast of.
Neither do we.
This does not nullify our responsibility to obey in every area of command.
Faith, repentance, confession, and baptism are all works of obedience that must be Obeyed.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(He obeyed why would we not have to?)
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
When people cannot properly discern the meaning of the works being discussed in each context, it can lead to much confusion and dangerous doctrines.
The fact is when the Bible is speaking of “works” there are 3 kinds of works that are discussed in the various contexts of the Bible.
The Bible speaks of:
1. The “works” that were done under the Law of Moses.
2. The “works” that are to be done when we are obeying His word, “works of obedience.”
3. Meritorious “works” – working in the sense of trying to earn something.
When we do not properly understand this and assign one meaning to all the “works” mentioned, it makes the Bible hard to understand and seem to be in contrition with itself.
For example, notice the following verses of scripture:
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These 4 passages seem to be in total contraction to each other.
Are these passages speaking of works under the law of Moses, meritorious works, or works of obedience?
The only way to answer this question is by the context of each passage. We cannot assign one meaning to all of these passages because if we do so then the passages are contracting each other.
In examining the above passages quoted in the book of Romans it is evident that in this context the “works” are referring to the “works” under the Law of Moses.
The rest of Paul’s statements show him trying to convince the Romans that one cannot be saved by the “works of the law”. This is shown by the context of comparing circumcision (a work under the law.)
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the circumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
In the context of James we see being discussed the “works” of obedience, or “good works” that all Christians must do:
Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
These are things we must “Do”. We know he is not speaking of the works under the Law of Moses, because this would not agree to what Paul taught to the Romans. It is not speaking of meritorious works because we cannot earn salvation by doing “good deeds”
We must maintain “good works” this in no way makes grace of no effect.
Finally in Eph 2 we see Paul speaking to them and rebuking any kind of pride in them thinking they were saved because they were deserving of God sending His son to die. Once again the context reveals to us that Paul is speaking of meritorious works:
Paul immediately starts in verse 1 showing the Ephesians that they were dead in sins.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
Paul is showing them what grace is, God giving them what they do not deserve – Christ.
It was because of the fact that God is “rich in mercy” and “loves us” that they can become a child of God, even thought they had sinned in “times past.”
It is clear that God did not extend this beautiful grace because they deserved it.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is the same message God has told His people since the beginning:
Deu 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Deu 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We are never to think we are deserving of the price that had to be paid.
If the Ephesians dissevered God ‘s grace then they could boast, but they did not so they had nothing to boast of.
Neither do we.
This does not nullify our responsibility to obey in every area of command.
Faith, repentance, confession, and baptism are all works of obedience that must be Obeyed.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(He obeyed why would we not have to?)
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
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