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What the Bible Says About Works, Good

Overview

The Bible addresses works, good across 83 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, James and Titus. Closely related themes include Works, Righteousness, Motive and Liberality. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Dorcas.

Key Bible verses about works, good

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: meet: or, answerable to amendment of life

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 6:1

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. alms: or, righteousness of your: or, with your

Matthew 6:2

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. do not: or, cause not a trumpet to be sounded

Matthew 6:3

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

Matthew 6:4

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:5

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you They have their reward.

Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 6:8

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:11

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matthew 6:15

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:16

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you They have their reward.

Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Matthew 6:18

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:35

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Matthew 25:36

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Matthew 25:37

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Matthew 25:38

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Matthew 25:39

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Titus

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. reprobate: or, void of judgment

Titus 2:7

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 3:1

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Titus 3:5

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Titus 3:8

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:14

And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. maintain: or, profess honest trades

James

James 1:25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. deed: or, doing

James 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:15

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

James 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James 2:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. alone: Gr. by itself

James 2:18

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. without: some copies read, by

James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2:20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 3:13

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. partiality: or, wrangling

People in the Bible and works, good

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying works, good for yourself

  • Begin with Nehemiah 13:14, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, James and Titus each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus and Dorcas and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Works, Righteousness, Motive and Liberality.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about works, good?

The Bible addresses works, good across 83 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, James and Titus. Closely related themes include Works, Righteousness, Motive and Liberality. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Dorcas.

How many Bible verses are about works, good?

The Bible references works, good in 83 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention works, good?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Nehemiah 13:14: “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. good: Heb. kindnesses offices: or, observations”

Which people in the Bible are associated with works, good?

Jesus and Dorcas.

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