33 Bible Verses about Good Works

you know, how his fame spread from Galilee through all Judea, after the baptism which John had preach'd: how Jesus of Nazareth divinely inspired by the holy spirit, and with miraculous power, went about doing good, and healing all that were under the oppression of the devil: because God was with him.

"how then are we better than they?" why, not at all: for we have already convicted both Jews and Gentiles, of being all under the guilt of sin. as it is written, " there is none righteous, no not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.read more.
they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doth good, no not one. their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. their feet are swift to shed blood. destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known. there is no fear of God before their eyes."

was it then good that brought death upon me? no, but it was sin, that sin might show it self by being able to bring death upon me by means of that which is good; that sin, I say, by the commandment might appear to be exceedingly destructive. for we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold a slave to sin. what I do I allow not: for what my mind leads me to, that do I not; but what I have an aversion to, that I do.read more.
if then I do what I in my mind am against, the consent of my mind is, that the law is right. now then, it is not wholly I that do it, but the sinful passions that dwell in me. for I experience, that in the carnal part of me dwells no good: for it is familiar to me, to will, but not to execute that which is good. for the good that I purpose to do, I do not: but the evil which I resolve against, that I do. now if I do that which my mind is against, it is not meerly I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a settled custom, that evil is objected in my way whenever I have a mind to act well: for my mind takes delight in the law of God, but I perceive in the animal part of me another law warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my animal part.

let us then not be weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we be not tired. therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good offices to all men, especially to the family of believers.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." but I say unto you, don't return evil for evil; on the contrary, if any one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other likewise. and if any man will go to law with you, to have your coat, let him have your cloke too.read more.
and if any one will press you to go a mile with him, go with him the other two. give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not away. You have heard that it hath been said, "you shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy:" but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who traduce you, and persecute you: that ye may be the children of your father who is in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. but if you love only them who love you, what reward can ye have? do not the heathens themselves do as much? and if ye salute your brethren only, what mighty matter is that? do not even the heathens do the same? be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.

But as for you, who hear me, love your enemies: do good to those, who hate you: bless those, who curse you: and pray for those, who maliciously abuse you. if any one strike you on one cheek, present to him the other likewise: or if any one seize your cloak, surrender your coat also.read more.
give to all that ask: and if a man takes away your goods, don't demand them again. behave to others in the same manner, as you desire they would behave to you. for if you only love those, who love you, where's the obligation? the very heathen return love for love. if you return one kind office by another, where's the obligation? the heathen themselves do as much. if you lend with the expectation of gaining by it, where's the obligation? for the heathen lend to one another, for the prospect of an equivalent. but as for you, love your enemies, do good, and lend without expecting any advantage from it: so shall your reward be great, in acting like the children of the most high: for he is kind to the most ungrateful wretches. be ye therefore merciful, as your father is merciful.

In a word, live all of you in perfect agreement and sympathy, be full of fraternal love, compassion, and affability. don't return evil for evil, nor calumny for calumny; on the contrary, bestow your benedictions, considering that your vocation obliges you thereto, as a means to obtain the divine blessing. " He that desires to live in prosperity, must restrain his tongue from detraction, and his lips from uttering falsehood:read more.
he must avoid vice, practise virtue, seek peace, and persevere in the enquiry. for the eyes of the Lord are upon the virtuous, and his ears attend to their prayers, but the wicked he discountenances." for who can hurt you, if you strive to excel in virtue.

let those then, whom God calls to sufferings, by virtue recommend their souls to him, as to a creator, who will make good his promise.

but don't forget to be beneficent to the community; for such sacrifice is acceptable to God.

from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy,

for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.

let not this surprize you: for the time is coming, when all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and they that have done good, shall rise to the possession of life; and they that have done evil, shall rise to their condemnation.

but as for you, love your enemies, do good, and lend without expecting any advantage from it: so shall your reward be great, in acting like the children of the most high: for he is kind to the most ungrateful wretches.

however by your impenitence, and the insensibility of your heart, you treasure up for yourself wrath against the day of wrath, and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his actions: eternal life to those, who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality;read more.
but unto those who are contentious, and do not yield to the truth, but give way to injustice, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish to every one that doth evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that acts right, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: since with God there is no respect of persons.

Charge those that are rich in this world, not to be elated, not to depend upon their perishable wealth, but upon the God of life, who furnishes us with every thing in plenty for our enjoyment; to be beneficent, to be rich in good works, to be liberal to the common fund, securing to themselves a well-grounded expectation of obtaining hereafter an immortal life.

in a palace there are vessels not only of gold, and of silver, but of wood and of earth likewise: some are for honourable uses, and others for meaner purposes. he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

What advantage is it, my brethren, for a man to say he has faith, if he has no beneficence? can such a faith save him? suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment, and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish?read more.
just so faith, if it be not operative, is intirely lifeless. it will be said, "you have a speculative faith, but mine is practical. where is your faith, if no effects appear? as for me, my actions will vouch for my faith. you believe there is but one God, very well: the demons believe as much, and tremble." Vain man, must I show you how lifeless a thing faith is, without its effects? was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar?

Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom.

" He that desires to live in prosperity, must restrain his tongue from detraction, and his lips from uttering falsehood: he must avoid vice, practise virtue, seek peace, and persevere in the enquiry. for the eyes of the Lord are upon the virtuous, and his ears attend to their prayers, but the wicked he discountenances."

and God is able to make every charitable gift redound to your advantage; that being always sufficiently supply'd in every thing, you may excel in every good work:

At Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, that is in Greek, Dorcas: this woman was very active in all the offices of benevolence and charity.

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obey'd the gospel, not only when I was with you, but much more now while I am absent, continue the work of your own salvation, whatever persecutions you apprehend: for it is God that influences your desires and endeavours, out of his benevolence to you.

that your conduct may be worthy of the Lord, in every respect agreeable to him, being friutful in every kind of virtue, and increasing in divine knowledge: being fortified in so effectual a manner, as to sustain your trials with constancy and joy: giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in that light he affords to his people:

for he hath made us a-new, and form'd us by Christ Jesus to do good works, for which God had before prepared us, that we might live in them.

he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue; that the minister of God may be perfectly accomplished for every office of religion.

and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or to governors, as being deputed by him to punish those who do ill, and to encourage those who do well. for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate

At his departure thence, he went into their synagogue. where they brought a man with a withered hand: and asked him this insnaring question, is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day? and he answer'd, which of you all that should have one of his sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, would not bestir himself, and lift it out?read more.
is not a man of much greater consequence than a sheep? how lawful then is it to do good offices on the sabbath-day? then saith he to the man, stretch out thy hand: and be stretched it out; and it was made as sound as the other. Upon this the Pharisees went out of the synagogue, and form'd a conspiracy against his life.

Another time he entred into the synagogue, when a man was there who had a withered hand. the Pharisees watched Jesus, to see if he would heal him on the sabbath-day, that so they might accuse him. he said then to the man who had the withered hand, rise and stand there in the midst.read more.
and he ask'd them, is it allowed to do good, or to do mischief on the sabbath-days? to save life, or to kill? but they were very silent. then he looking with indignation at those about him, being concern'd at their disingenuous perverse temper, he said to the man, stretch out your hand, which he did, and his hand become sound. upon this the Pharisees withdrew, and immediately enter'd into a conspiracy with the Herodians to take away his life.

On another sabbath-day it happen'd, that he went into the synagogue to preach, where a man was present, who had the palsy in his right hand. now the Scribes and Pharisees were upon the watch to see if he would work a cure upon the sabbath-day, and so have matter of accusation against him. but as he knew their thoughts, he said to the man, whose hand was paralytic, rise up, and stand there in the middle. and he arose, and stood before him.read more.
then said Jesus to them, I will ask you one question, which is the most allowable on the sabbath-day, to do good, or to neglect it? to save a man's life, or to let him perish? then casting his eyes round the company, he said to the man, stretch out your hand. and he did so: and that hand was as sound as the other. whereupon they fell into a rage, and consulted together, what measures to take against Jesus.

As he was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath-day, a woman was present, who had been kept infirm by a spirit eighteen years: and stooped in such a manner, she was not able to hold up her head strait. Jesus seeing her, called her to him, and said, woman you are freed from your disorder.read more.
then he laid his hands upon her: and instantly she stood upright, and glorified God. but the ruler of the synagogue being highly incensed at Jesus's healing on the sabbath-day, said to the people, there are six days for work, you should come therefore for cure on those days, and not on the sabbath. to which Jesus replied, thou hypocrite, who is there among you that scruples to untie his ox or his ass, and lead him from the stall to water on the sabbath-day? and must not this daughter of Abraham, whom satan has held bound these eighteen years, be disengag'd from this bond, on a sabbath-day? at which all his adversaries were confounded. but the people were highly pleased, at the glorious actions which he perform'd.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man that was born blind. and his disciples propos'd to him this question, master, was it for his own sins, or for the sins of his parents, that he was born blind? it was not for any sin of his, said Jesus, or of his parents: but that the works of God might be displayed thro' him.read more.
I must perform the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night is coming, when no man can work. while I am in the world, I am the light of the world. having said this, he spit on the ground, which by means of his saliva he made into clay, wherewith he anointed the eyes of the blind man, and said to him, go wash in the pool of Siloam (a word which signifies sent.) so he went and washed, and came seeing. the neighbours therefore, and they who before had seen him begging, said, is not this he that used to sit begging? this is he, said some; he is like him, said others: but he said, I am the man. thereupon they said to him, how did you come to your sight? he answered, a man call'd Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: I went, and washed, and so I saw. then said they to him, where is he? I don't know, said he. This very man that had been blind, was at length brought to the Pharisees. now it was the sabbath-day when Jesus made the clay, and gave him his sight. the Pharisees therefore ask'd him likewise, how he had received his sight. he told them, he put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and now see. thereupon some of the Pharisees said, this man has no divine mission, because he does not observe the sabbath. but said others, if he be an impostor, how can he do such miracles? and there was a schism among them. they therefore question'd the blind man again, what do you say of the man that made you see? he is a prophet, said he. but the Jews were so incredulous about his having been blind, and obtain'd sight, that they sent for his parents, and ask'd them, is this your son, who you say was born blind? how came it then that he now sees? his parents answered, that this is our son, and that he was born blind: we are very certain. but by what means it was that he now sees, that we know not; or who made him see, we know not: he is of age, ask him, he will answer for himself. his parents said this, because they were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews had agreed in this, that if any man did own him for the Messias, he should be excommunicated. it was this made his parents say, "he is of age, ask him." They therefore again call'd the man that had been blind, and said to him, in the name of God tell the truth: for we know that this man is an impostor. whether he be so or not, said he, I don't know: one thing I very well know, that once I was blind, and now I see. they still urg'd the same question, what did he do to thee? how did he make you see? I have already told you that, said he, and did you not hear it? why would ye hear it over again? have you likewise a mind to be his disciples? then they reviled him, and said, thou art his disciple; but we are Moses disciples. we know that God commission'd Moses: as for this fellow, we don't know who sent him. the man replied, that's very strange that he should make me see, and you should not know who sent him. now 'tis certain, that God does not countenance impostors: but regards him only that is religious, and executes his commands. It was never heard since the world began, that any man gave sight to one that was born blind. if this man had not his mission from God, he could do nothing. they answered, you were a vicious fellow from your very birth, and do you pretend to preach to us? and then they excommunicated him. Jesus having heard that they had excommunicated him; and meeting with the man, he said to him, do you believe on the son of God? he answered and said, who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? Jesus said to him, not only thou hast seen him, but it is he himself that is talking with thee. then said he to Jesus, Lord, I believe: and prostrated himself before him. and Jesus said, to execute justice am I come into this world: that they who see not, may see; and that they who do see, may become blind. some of the Pharisees who were then present hearing this, said to him, are we likewise blind? Jesus said to them, if you were blind, you would be excusable; but since you own that you see, you stand convicted.