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Examples of Good Works Mentioned in Scripture

Examples of Good Works in Scripture

Scripture provides numerous examples of good works that are considered essential for the Christian life. These examples are scattered throughout the biblical text and are often cited in various theological traditions as a basis for understanding the nature of good works.

The biblical text itself highlights several examples of good works. In 1 Timothy 5:10, the apostle Paul lists several good works that are expected of a Christian woman, including bringing up children, lodging strangers, washing the saints' feet, relieving the afflicted, and diligently following every good work [2, 3]. Other examples of good works mentioned in Scripture include acts of charity, such as giving to the poor and supporting the ministry of the apostles [6].

The concept of good works is closely tied to the idea of fruitfulness in the Christian life. According to John Calvin, good works are the fruit of the Spirit's work in the believer, and they flow from the believer's union with Christ [8]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, understands good works as the fruit of righteousness, which are produced by the believer through the power of Christ [5].

Theological traditions have interpreted the biblical teaching on good works in various ways. The Lutheran tradition, as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, affirms that good works are pleasing to God and are a necessary consequence of faith, but denies that they contribute to justification [12]. The Anglican tradition, as represented by the Thirty-Nine Articles, similarly affirms that good works are a fruit of faith and are pleasing to God, but notes that they cannot put away sin or endure God's judgment [13].

The Catholic tradition, as represented by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, understands good works as an essential part of the Christian life, and emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtues and performing acts of charity [14]. The Patristic tradition, as represented by Clement of Rome, encourages believers to perform good works with energy and readiness of mind, citing God's own example as the Creator and Lord of all [11].

The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, understands good works as the fruit of sanctification, and emphasizes that they are a necessary consequence of the believer's union with Christ [9]. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, interprets Jesus' statement that "many good works have I showed you" as a reference to his acts of healing, teaching, and feeding the multitudes [7].

In the biblical text, good works are often associated with the concept of contentment. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that contentment is a key aspect of the Christian life, and is linked to godliness and great gain [4]. The practice of good works is also seen as a means of glorifying God, as expressed in Philippians 1:11, where Paul prays that the Philippians may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, to the glory and praise of God [1].

The examples of good works mentioned in Scripture are diverse and multifaceted. They include acts of charity, hospitality, and kindness, as well as the practice of virtues such as diligence and contentment. The various theological traditions have interpreted these examples in different ways, but all agree on the importance of good works in the Christian life.

The historical development of the doctrine of good works has been shaped by various controversies and debates. The Reformation era saw a significant debate between Protestant and Catholic theologians over the role of good works in justification. The Protestant Reformers, such as Luther and Calvin, emphasized the importance of faith alone in justification, while Catholic theologians, such as Aquinas, emphasized the role of good works in the process of justification [10].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
  2. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 5:10 — Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”
  3. I Timothy “I Timothy 5:10 (YLT) — in good works being testified to: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if saints' feet she washed, if those in tribulation she relieved, if every good work she followed after;”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Contentment — With godliness is great gain -- Ps 37:16; 1Ti 6:6. Saints should exhibit In their respective callings. -- 1Co 7:20. With appointed wages. -- Lu 3:14. With what things they have. -- Heb 13:5. With food and raiment. -- 1Ti 6:8. God's promises should lead to -- Heb 13:5. The wicked want -- Isa 5:8; Ec 5:10. Exemplified Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:33-37. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:13. David. -- Ps 16:6. Agur. -- Pr 30:8,9. Paul. -- Php 4:11,12.”
  5. Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 1:11: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,.... Good works. Some think alms deeds, or acts of liberality and bounty, are here particularly intended; and that respect is had to the generosity of these Philippians to the apostle, and others: and true it is, that these are sometimes so called, as in Co2 9:10, but rather good works in general are meant, which are called "fruits", because, like fruits, they spring from a seed, even from the incorruptible seed of grace in the heart, implanted there in regeneration; and because they are owing, as the fruits of the ea”
  6. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:24: 10:24 Acts of love and good works characterize true Christian commitment (6:10; 10:32-34; Gal 5:13; 1 Thes 1:3; Rev 2:19).”
  7. John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 10:32: Many good works have I showed you - I have healed your sick, delivered those of you who were possessed from the power of demons; I have fed multitudes of your poor, and I have taught you in all places, at all times, without expense, with patience; and is this my reward? To show good works or good things is a Hebraism, which signifies to do them really, to give good things liberally. The phrase is similar to the following: Who will Show us any good? Psa 4:6; i.e. who shall give us good things. Show us thy mercy, Psa 85:7; i.e. give us to feel the effects of thy mercy.”
  8. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 5.7: works. Hence he desires that they may be fruitful in good works for the glory of God. Such fruits, he says, are by Christ, because they flow from the grace of Christ. For the beginning of our well-doing is, when we are sanctified by his Spirit, for he rested upon him, that we might all receive of his fullness. ( John 1:16 .) And as Paul here derives a similitude from trees, we are wild olive-trees, ( Romans 11:24 ,) and unproductive, until we are ingrafted into Christ, who by his living root makes us fruitbearing tr”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 33: § 4. The Fruits of Sanctification, or Good Works. Their Nature. The fruits of sanctification are good works. Our Lord says “A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a 232 corrupt tree bring forth good fruit, For every tree is known by his own fruit: for of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.” ( Luke vi. 43, 44 .) By good works, in this connection, are meant not only the inward exercises of the religious life, but also outward acts, such as can be seen and appreciated by others. There ”
  10. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), On All the Seven Days in Common, Art. 3: Article: Whether Scripture uses suitable words to express the work of the six days?”
  11. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XXXIII.--BUT LET US NOT OWE UP THE PRACTICE OF GOOD WORKS AND LOVE. GOD HIMSELF IS AN EXAMPLE TO US OF GOOD WORKS.: What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His works. For by His infinitely great power He established the heavens, and by Hi”
  12. Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article XX. Of Good Works.: Article XX. Of Good Works.”
  13. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 231: Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's Judgement; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.”
  14. Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 3. the anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, "leading"). We can view (part 2): 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi. The New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of St. Paul to the Romans, ”
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