Understanding the Relationship Between Works and Salvation in Matthew

The relationship between works and salvation in the Gospel of Matthew is a complex topic that has been interpreted in various ways across Christian traditions. While salvation is generally understood as deliverance from the guilt and pollution of sin through Jesus Christ ^[6], the role of human actions, or "works," in this process is a point of theological discussion.

Matthew's Gospel frequently emphasizes the importance of righteous living and producing "fruit worthy of repentance" ^[4]. Jesus states that a "good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things" ^[7]. This suggests an intrinsic link between one's inner state and outward actions. The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a king settling accounts with his servants, implying a reckoning of deeds ^[3]. Furthermore, Matthew 16:27 states that the Son of Man "will repay every man according to his works" ^[5]. This verse, cross-referenced with Job 34:11, indicates a divine judgment based on actions.

Some interpretations highlight that while good works are essential, they are not the means of salvation but rather the evidence or fruit of it. John Calvin, a prominent Reformed theologian, argued that salvation is received through faith, which leads the sinner to "cast himself entirely upon his mercy for salvation" ^[9]. He further explained that faith is the means by which a sinner perceives reconciliation with God and obtains pardon for sins through Christ ^[9]. In this view, good works are a natural outflow of a renewed heart, "wrought by God in us" ^[2]. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians, states that believers are "saved by grace" and not by works, so that no one can boast ^[8]. This perspective sees works as a consequence of salvation, not a prerequisite.

However, other traditions emphasize a more direct connection between works and salvation, or at least the demonstration of true faith. Augustine, a significant Patristic theologian, contended that "faith without works is dead, and cannot save a man" ^[10]. He noted that those who claim Christ's name and are baptized but live in "grossest sin" and do not repent or perform almsgiving, will not be saved by fire, implying that persistent sin without corresponding good works or repentance is detrimental to salvation ^[10]. This view suggests that while faith is foundational, it must be accompanied by a life of obedience and good deeds.

The concept of "works of righteousness" is also discussed in the New Testament. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that these are works done "according to a righteous law, and in obedience to it," and are not the means of salvation ^[12]. He clarifies that even works done after conversion, from right principles of grace and faith, do not earn salvation ^[12]. This aligns with the understanding that justification is "unattainable by" works ^[2].

The tension between faith and works is often resolved by understanding that while salvation is by grace through faith, true faith will inevitably produce good works ^{[1, 11]}. Charles Hodge, an Old Princeton theologian, states that God chooses people "to be holy," and their predestination to salvation is the reason they are brought to repentance and a holy life ^[11]. Therefore, good works are seen as a necessary outcome of genuine faith and a sanctified life, rather than a meritorious cause of salvation. The Gospel of Matthew, in its emphasis on righteous living and the consequences of one's actions, underscores the importance of a life transformed by faith.

Sources

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”
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”
Matthew “Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. -- Matthew 18:23”
Matthew “Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! -- Matthew 3:8”
OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Matt.16.27 → Job.34.11 (confidence: 11 votes)”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Salvation — This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, "the great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). (See [546]REDEMPTION; [547]REGENERATION.)”
Matthew “The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. -- Matthew 12:35”
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.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 66: and destitute of good works. He, therefore, seeks the cause of kindness in himself, that thus he may affect the sinner by a sense of his goodness, and induce him, in distrust of his own works, to cast himself entirely upon his mercy for salvation. This is the meaning of faith by which the sinner comes into the possession of salvation, when, according to the doctrine of the Gospel, he perceives that he is reconciled by God; when, by the intercession of Christ, he obtains the pardon of his sins, and is justified; and, though renewed ”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 67.--FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD,AND CANNOT SAVE A MAN.: It is believed, moreover, by some, that men who do not abandon the name of Christ, and who have been baptized in the Church by His baptism, and who have never been cut off from the Church by any schism or heresy, though they should live in the grossest sin and never either wash it away in penitence nor redeem it by almsgiving, but persevere in it persistently to the last day of their lives, shall be saved by fire; that is, that although they shall suffer a punishment by fire, lasting f”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 66: and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Pet. i. 2 .) Such is the clear doctrine of the Bible, men are chosen to be holy. The fact that God has predestinated them to salvation is the reason why they are brought to repentance and a holy life. “God,” says Paul to the Thessalonians ( 2 Thess. ii. 13 ), “hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through (not on account of) sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without c”
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”

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