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Biblical Examples of Trusting in Good Works for Salvation

The concept of trusting in good works for salvation is a point of significant theological discussion, with various biblical passages and traditions offering different perspectives. While some passages appear to emphasize the necessity of works, others strongly assert that salvation is not achieved through human effort.

The Apostle Paul, for instance, explicitly states that justification is "unattainable by" works [2]. In Romans 3:20, he writes, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." Similarly, in Galatians 2, Paul argues against justification by works of the law [2]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, interprets Titus 3:5 ("Not by works of righteousness which we have done") to mean that salvation is not brought about by any human works, even those performed after conversion [10]. This perspective highlights that works, even righteous ones, cannot earn salvation, which is instead a gift of God's grace [7]. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) also affirm that good works, while pleasing to God, "cannot endure the severity of God's judgment" and cannot "put away our sins" [13].

However, other biblical texts underscore the importance of works in the life of a believer. The book of James famously asks, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?" [5]. This passage suggests that genuine faith is evidenced by works. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes that acts of love and good works characterize true Christian commitment [9, 11]. The Apostle Paul himself, despite his strong emphasis on grace, also speaks of those who "served well" gaining a "good standing, and great boldness in the faith" [3, 4]. This implies a positive outcome associated with diligent service and faithfulness [6].

The relationship between faith and works has been a subject of ongoing theological debate. Augustine, a prominent Church Father, taught that "faith which worketh by love" is the one work that encompasses all others, and that righteous works are those directed towards this end [12]. He also described the process of putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new" as an internal renewal where believers lay aside lying and speak truth, behaving in ways suitable to a new life [8]. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox theologian, observed that Israel's rejection was due to their seeking righteousness by works rather than by faith [14].

The objection that salvation by grace negates the importance of good works has been raised throughout history [1]. However, this objection is often countered by the understanding that good works are the result or fruit of salvation, not its cause [2]. They are "fruits meet for repentance" and "fruits of righteousness" [2]. Furthermore, good works are seen as being "by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God" and are "wrought by God in us" [2]. This perspective maintains that only those who "abide in Christ can perform" good works [2].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Works, Good — The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Rom. 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the bet”
  2. 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”
  3. 1 Timothy “For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. -- 1 Timothy 3:13”
  4. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:13 (BBE) — For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
  5. James “What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? -- James 2:14”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
  7. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
  8. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 9.--THE BEGINNING OF RENEWAL; RESURRECTION CALLED REGENERATION; THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD WHO LEAD LIVES SUITABLE TO NEWNESS OF LIFE. (part 2): still children of the world; but inasmuch as they are also admitted into a new state, that is to say, by the full and perfect remission of their sins, and in so far as they are spiritually-minded, and behave correspondingly, they are the children of God. Internally we put off the old man and put on the new; for we then and there lay aside lying, and speak truth, and do those other things wherein the apostle”
  9. 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).”
  10. Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done,.... The great instance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour is salvation; which the apostle denies that it is brought about by any works, even the best works of men; for "works of righteousness" are works done according to a righteous law, and in obedience to it; and in a righteous manner, from right principles of grace, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; or otherwise they are not righteous actions, or works of righteousness; wherefore not works before, but after conversion, are here meant; for works b”
  11. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”
  12. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XC.(1) (part 12): with a view to one work. For then are works righteous, when they are directed to this one end: "for the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned."(14) There is therefore one work, in which are all, "faith which worketh by love:"(15) whence our Lord's words in the Gospel, "This is the work of God, that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent."(16) Since, therefore, in this Psalm, both old and new life, life both mortal and everlasting, years that are counted for nou”
  13. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 269: Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be reta”
  14. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Homily XVII. Rom. X. 1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is, that they might be saved.” He is now going again to rebuke them more vehemently than before. 1481 1481 In ix. 30–33 Paul had stated that the reason of Israel’s rejection was, that they sought after righteousness not by faith but by works, while the Gentiles sought it by faith and attained it. Chap. x . is an illustration and confirmation of this position. Its leading idea is, that the Jews could not be justified by works of the law, because a new system, that of faith,”
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