'Works' in the Bible

He will repay each one according to his works:

For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith.

For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to brag about—but not before God.

Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed.

Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the man God credits righteousness to apart from works:

not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.

Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them.

So death works in us, but life in you.

So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.

know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.

I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?

So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed.

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,

We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,

not from works, so that no one can boast.

For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—

Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.

I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the message about God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the message of God, which also works effectively in you believers.

but with good works, as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God.

and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share,

He has saved us and called uswith a holy calling,not according to our works,but according to His own purpose and grace,which was given to us in Christ Jesusbefore time began.

Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works.

They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.

He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done,but according to His mercy,through the washing of regenerationand renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.

And:In the beginning, Lord,You established the earth,and the heavens are the works of Your hands;

where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,and saw My works

(for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what He has said:So I swore in My anger,they will not enter My rest.And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world,

for somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this way:And on the seventh dayGod rested from all His works.

For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.

Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,

how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?

And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works,

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?

In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.

Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected.

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route?

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.

Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.

The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works.

unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him shares in his evil works.

This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.

Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first.

I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—

“Write to the angel of the church in Sardis:“The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.

Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.

I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close.

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.

The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which are not able to see, hear, or walk.

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed.”“Yes,” says the Spirit, “let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!”

They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb:Great and awe-inspiring are Your works,Lord God, the Almighty;righteous and true are Your ways,King of the Nations.

Pay her back the way she also paid,and double it according to her works.In the cup in which she mixed,mix a double portion for her.

I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books.

Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works.