Ephesians 2:9 says that we are not saved by good works. What ARE good works?

Question

Ephesians 2:8-10 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain



8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Would you consider obedience to God to be a "good work"?

Answer 1

Eph 2:9
" Not of works that no one should boast"

There are some good cross references in 2 Tim 19

" Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our own works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us IN CHRIST JESUS before the times of the ages"

also in Titus 3:5
Not out of works in righteousness which we did, BUT according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit"

In the context of this verse the works are works of righteousness done in the element and sphere of righteousness, denoting genuine works of righteousnes. EVEN such genuine works of righteousness are NOT sufficient to be the basis and conditin of our salvation. Only the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit brought to us by GOD's mercy are sufficient to cause us to be saved.

Romans 9:11
Though the children had not yet been bor nor had done anything good or bad ( that the purpose of God according to selection might remain, NOT of works but OF HIM who Calls


Romans 116
But if By Grace, it is no longer out of works; otherwise Grace is no longer Grace

Great Q
a sister in Christ
sandy

Answer 2

At Ephesians 2:8, 9, Paul says that Christians are saved by faith, not by works. He says: “You have been saved through faith, not owing to works.” James, however, insists on the importance of works. He writes: “As the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) How can these two statements be reconciled?

Considering the context of Paul’s words, we find that one statement complements the other. The apostle Paul is referring to the efforts of the Jews to keep the Mosaic Law. They believed that if they kept the Law in all its details, they would be righteous. Paul pointed out that this was impossible. We can never become righteous, and thus deserve salvation, by our own works, for we are inherently sinful. We can only be saved by faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. Romans 5:18.

James, however, adds the vital point that faith in itself is valueless if not supported by actions. A person who claims to have faith in Jesus should prove it by what he does. An inactive faith is a dead faith and will not lead to salvation.

The apostle Paul was in full agreement with this, and he often mentions the kinds of works that Christians should engage in to demonstrate their faith. For example, to the Romans he wrote: “With the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.” Making a “public declaration”, sharing our faith with others, is vital for salvation. (Romans 10:10) No work, however, that a Christian can do, and certainly no effort to fulfill the Law of Moses, will earn him the right to everlasting life. This is “the gift God gives” to those who exercise faith. John 3:16.

Answer 3

Work is defined by the physicists as energy expended.
Hence, since energy is expended doing a water baptism then you could call it a work.
If a sinner is on a death bed and his last words are of repentance and the declaration of the Lord Jesus, there would be a minor amount of energy expended, but I'm not sure I would
call this act of obedience a "good work".
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 4

we at the instant are not saved via works themselves, yet they *are* a actual and tangible expression of our faith. it is not some thing we can "earn" via doing x, y, and z, and then if we effectively finished those, we are saved. No, it would not artwork that way...... i think of the Bible is rather sparkling approximately that. regrettably, many people have that attitude, and at a similar time as I won't call names, there are some venues the place that approach is fostered, extra so than others. yet interior the direction of *certainly residing our faith popular* we do good works to actively exhibit that faith and make it artwork to the earnings of others, the two interior the physique of Christ and outdoors of it. So the two works and faith are significant, and quite can not exist devoid of the different. even nevertheless it somewhat is faith in God, the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died for our sins so as that we would stay, this is the middle of all of it. And the grace that we receive from this is given freely via God, not earned, lest any guy boast. as quickly as we are crammed with God's grace, the solid works circulate out from us and touch others thereby solidifying and confirming our faith, and making it actual and tangible. No, works are unquestionably not the reason of our faith and being saved, yet they are additionally extra advantageous than only seen info, however in the event that they are partly that too......

Answer 5

It is also written that faith without good works is dead.

So what is a good work?

Let us go back to Cain and Abel. Each man brought an offering unto the Lord, yet the Lord chose one and rejected the other. Why?

It is because Abel brought an offering from his heart. It was his will to please God because of his love he had towards God. His gift was one that was spiritual in nature.

Cain on the other hand did not bring an offering from his heart. He wanted to please God, but because he was fleshly, his offering was more material, then spiritual.

So what is a good work? There are no acceptable offerings outside of Jesus Christ. An acceptable work can come only by allowing Christ to work though us. It is a work resulting from love. Without love, works are dead. So when we give, if we do so out of the compassion of our hearts, that is an acceptable offering unto the Lord.

Answer 6

I believe a 'good work' could be considered any deed or act which may or may not have a positive influence on another person or group of people.

In Ephesians, Paul is addressing a group of people who mistakenly believe God will judge them on their works alone. Paul is trying to emphasize the importance of faith in God's grace rather than focusing on what one can do "earn" salvation. Hence the verse which says "all your good works are as filthy rags in God's eyes".

James's message is a bit more clear when he says faith and works are not mutually exclusive. You cannot have one without the other. Faith alone can't save you, because one who has true faith would naturally be compelled to do good works without ANY THOUGHT OF REWARD.

Anyone can SAY they have faith, but their actions will prove, or "justify" it. It's like the old saying "You gotta walk the walk, not just talk the talk"

I love this question. It addresses one of the least understood concepts in Christianity.

Answer 7

"Good works' that try to buy one way into Heaven by Pelagian human perfection in perfect doing of the Law are self -justicication and will not save because they are not channels of Grace

The same is true of the "good work" of professing the Creed or deciding for Jesus with or without emotional stirrings but isolating that "faith" from love and refusing to live saving grace by faith which works through love.

Faith without works is dead
and dead means dead spiritually,salvifically and in every real way-dead

We cannot boast of our good works or our emotive faith or anything because it is all by Grace, the free gift of God's very life that transforms as it infuses and that can only work if freely accepted and unresisted and cooperated with.

There is no faith or real trust without commitment to fidelity to GOD and that definitely involves obedience according to the light God gives each. Obedience involves will and action

Faith is a grace and a"good work" of Cooperation and development
Hope is a grace and a"good work of" cooperation and development
Love is a"good work" and a cooperation and development
And the greatest of these is love

We are created as God's handiwork to be channels of grace and graced producers of His good workings in and through and for us. We are saved by grace for good works

Answer 8

The first mention of works in 2:9 is in the context of the works of the Judaic law. In this dialogue, Paul is trying to convince them that the sacrifice of Christ is the final one, and no more temple sacrifices need to be made, not are the Kosher laws necessary.

The "good works" mentioned in 2:10 are following the commandments of God, yes, in obedience, and showing mercy and charity to your neighbor. Remember the new commandments are love.

I like to recall I John 2:4 in this case:

"He that sayeth I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him."

That what a real "personal Relationship" is all about!

As I've said - many times before - always read the verses in context.

Answer 9

Good works fall roughly into two categories.
1. Morals - Doing the right thing (obedience.)
2. Sacrificially serving others - unselfishly doing what is in the best interest of others.

Answer 10

Obedience is a by-product of your salvation with God. Our Salvation is totally free by the Grace of God and there is nothing we can do to buy it nor pay back God. Our good works does not help us get into heaven but as we grow in Christ we should become more like Christ if we are a true believer. Although we may continue to sin our lives should not be characterized by Sin. If we Truly believe in God our actions will follow:

James 2:18-26 (ESV)
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Answer 11

No not "good work" just good sense
I serve Jehovah because I want to show my appreciation for all He has given me.(Which is much!)
It's sort of like Adam and Eve.
Let's say a very rich (Bill Gates rich) benefactor decided to give you everything your heart desires.They put you in a fine mansion.Gives you servants to maintain that mansion gave you everything so all you had to do was wake up each morning and enjoy life, wouldn't you want to do something to show that you appreciated what has been done for you?
Knowing this the benefactor says "okey.All you got to do to show your appreciation is not watch the television show 'American Idol '
But let's say one of your jealous friends came by and said the person doesn't want you to watch 'American Idol' because if you watch it you will learn to make as much money as the benefactor has.Would you watch the show?
And if you didn't would you consider it "a good work"?
Doing what Jah commands is like taking a cool drink of water on a hot day.
Like that Wilford Brandley oatmeal commercial use to state "It's just the right thing to do!"