Some random website, but its Scripture based;
Dead works
Now that we understand how the word
works is used in the New Testament, we can analyze the expression “dead works.”
Clark’s Commentary defines dead works as
“such works as deserve death—works of those who were
dead in trespasses, and dead in sins, and
dead by sentence of the law, because they had by these works broken the law” (emphasis added).
This comment agrees with Paul’s statement in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” The apostle John defines sin: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Sin is breaking God’s 10 Commandments and the penalty is everlasting death if the sinner refuses to repent of the sins.
Other versions of the Bible translate “repentance from dead works” in other ways, such as “repentance from acts that lead to death” (New International Version) and “repentance from the deeds which led to death” (J.B. Phillips New Testament).
Repentance from dead works is ongoing
Every human being, excluding Jesus Christ, has sinned. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The apostle John warns Christians: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).
Therefore, due to sin, everyone has “dead works” that must be repented of and forgiven by God. Dead works (ineffectual and vain works) preceded conversion. Works that lead to death must be continually repented of and overcome after conversion.
Repentance From Dead Works - Life, Hope & Truth