What is a work?

[pwfaith]

Ephesians 2:8-9 shows us that we are saved by grace, not by works.
According to the Bible, what constitutes a work?
What was the author of Ephesians referring to?
Does the popular modern-day definition "a work is anything you do" have Biblical support or is it accepted only because it's been handed down for so long that no one questions it?

IMO, work is simply anything we do.
Ephesians was written during a time and to a place (or to a group of people around) when the occult was becoming a common practice. The fame in Ephesus was not only political and commercial, but it was also the center for worship of the pagan goddess Artemis, as well as occult (magic) practices. In those practices it was common to have to 'do' something to earn favor with the gods. I don't think works are a bad thing but I think he's clearly saying we don't have to 'do' anything to earn his favor like the pagans did. From Acts we know that sorcery and evil spirits were part of the religious climate for those inside and outside the Ephesian church. Good works are the outcome, not the meritorious cause, of God's foregivenss (v10). Paul reminds them now that they have declared their salvation (by grace through their faith) not to forget they are called to a new community, a family and with that comes responsibility where actions are necessary to further the development and maturity of the family/community.

Works can be good or bad, however I don't think they are necessary for salvation but rather an outcome or calling of our salvation.

 

[waitasec]

That is not what I mean. I'll rephrase:
"Here's a thought, maybe the activities described in Matthew 25 are not works."

what else would they be...?


‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

[waitasec]

IMO, work is simply anything we do.

<snip>

Works can be good or bad, however I don't think they are necessary for salvation but rather an outcome or calling of our salvation.

faith is works...
it is an ability, is it not?

 

[javajo]

Since works includes belief in Christ, what does this say about Ephesians?

I assume you are referring to this: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29

The Bible makes a clear distinction between faith (believing in, relying on, trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross for the free gift of salvation), and works. Romans 4 sums it up quite well:

1 What should we say about those things? What did our father Abraham discover about being right with God? 2 Did he become right with God because of something he did? If so, he could brag about it. But he couldn't brag to God. 3 What do we find in Scripture? It says, "Abraham believed God. God accepted Abraham's faith, and so his faith made him right with God."—(Genesis 15:6) 4 When a man works, his pay is not considered a gift. It is owed to him. 5 But things are different with God. He makes evil people right with himself. If people trust in him, their faith is accepted even though they do not work. Their faith makes them right with God.
6 King David says the same thing. He tells us how blessed some people are. God makes those people right with himself. But they don't have to do anything in return.

In the chapter above, he had fed the multitudes and they only followed him for that. They asked what works they must do, so he answered them according to their question. Note he said the meat that endures to everlasting life is GIVEN to them. All through the chapter he says if we believe in Him, he gives us eternal life. It's a gift. There are many wonderful passages here...

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. v.40

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. v.37

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. v.39

 

[pwfaith]

faith is works...
it is an ability, is it not?

ability? Are trust and confidence actions/works? Or is it displayed by our actions/works? Is displaying trust the same as having trust? Can one display trust if they truly do not trust? Does one have to display their trust in order for it to exist?

 

[e.r.m.]

IMO, work is simply anything we do.
Ephesians was written during a time and to a place (or to a group of people around) when the occult was becoming a common practice. The fame in Ephesus was not only political and commercial, but it was also the center for worship of the pagan goddess Artemis, as well as occult (magic) practices. In those practices it was common to have to 'do' something to earn favor with the gods. I don't think works are a bad thing but I think he's clearly saying we don't have to 'do' anything to earn his favor like the pagans did. From Acts we know that sorcery and evil spirits were part of the religious climate for those inside and outside the Ephesian church. Good works are the outcome, not the meritorious cause, of God's foregivenss (v10). Paul reminds them now that they have declared their salvation (by grace through their faith) not to forget they are called to a new community, a family and with that comes responsibility where actions are necessary to further the development and maturity of the family/community.

Works can be good or bad, however I don't think they are necessary for salvation but rather an outcome or calling of our salvation.

Sorry, what is IMO? Thank you.

To be clear, are you saying the christian counterpart of the Ephesians' meritorious works to their pagan gods is what Paul is referring to as works in Ephesians 2:8-9?

 

[e.r.m.]

I assume you are referring to this: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29

The Bible makes a clear distinction between faith (believing in, relying on, trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross for the free gift of salvation), and works. Romans 4 sums it up quite well:

1 What should we say about those things? What did our father Abraham discover about being right with God? 2 Did he become right with God because of something he did? If so, he could brag about it. But he couldn't brag to God. 3 What do we find in Scripture? It says, "Abraham believed God. God accepted Abraham's faith, and so his faith made him right with God."&#8212;(Genesis 15:6) 4 When a man works, his pay is not considered a gift. It is owed to him. 5 But things are different with God. He makes evil people right with himself. If people trust in him, their faith is accepted even though they do not work. Their faith makes them right with God.
6 King David says the same thing. He tells us how blessed some people are. God makes those people right with himself. But they don't have to do anything in return.

In the chapter above, he had fed the multitudes and they only followed him for that. They asked what works they must do, so he answered them according to their question. Note he said the meat that endures to everlasting life is GIVEN to them. All through the chapter he says if we believe in Him, he gives us eternal life. It's a gift. There are many wonderful passages here...

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. v.40

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. v.37

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. v.39

Are you saying there is a distinction between works in Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 6:28-29?

 

[Awoon]

I agree with you. It seems then by this definition that works is something specific and not a universal physical activity as is generally proposed. Am I understanding correctly?

Works are the doings which brings peace, healing and harmony toward humankind.

 

[javajo]

E.R.M. we be double posting same Q & A's on the Ephesians 2:8-9 thread...I answered there.

 

[e.r.m.]

Works are the doings which brings peace, healing and harmony toward humankind.

Are the doings which brings peace, healing and harmony toward humankind
what Paul refers to as works in Ephesians 2:8-9?

 

[e.r.m.]

E.R.M. we be double posting same Q & A's on the Ephesians 2:8-9 thread...I answered there.

Then are the works described in both scriptures the same?

 

[Awoon]

Are the doings which brings peace, healing and harmony toward humankind
what Paul refers to as works in Ephesians 2:8-9?

Nope. Paul is talking about the works of the Jewish law...the traditions and observances of the ordinances and statutes which which some Jews were boasting about.

 

[e.r.m.]

Nope. Paul is talking about the works of the Jewish law...the traditions and observances of the ordinances and statutes which which some Jews were boasting about.

Thank you. Then it seems, that in Ephesians Paul defines works not as "any" physical act that one does but, as you said, the ordinances and statutes which some Jews were boasting about. Am I right?

 

[javajo]

Works are the doings which brings peace, healing and harmony toward humankind.

That's nice . Let me add, I believe we are saved, that is freely given eternal life by faith in Christ's finished work on the cross which paid for our sins. For one who has trusted Christ and been saved forevermore, works come in just fine. But for one who has not trusted Christ as Saviour, works are "as filthy rags" to a holy God and count for nothing as far as salvation goes.

 

[javajo]

Then are the works described in both scriptures the same?

They don't describe the works. The people Jesus talked to thought they had to perform some great work like he had just fed the multitudes, but he was telling them that eternal life is through HIM, believing in him, that he IS the life. So I believe all who have trusted in Him, that he died to pay the penalty of our sins and rose again, HAVE eternal life.

 

[pwfaith]

Sorry, what is IMO? Thank you.

To be clear, are you saying the christian counterpart of the Ephesians' meritorious works to their pagan gods is what Paul is referring to as works in Ephesians 2:8-9?

IMO = In my opinion

I think Paul is simply saying "we don't have to be like the pagan's. We don't have to earn God's forgiveness or favor." Similar things were said throughout the OT as well. Many of the laws the Israelites were given were to set them apart. I think this is something that sets Christians apart from many other religions, is that we don't have to DO anything, God's favor and forgiveness does not have to be earned.

 

[javajo]

Nope. Paul is talking about the works of the Jewish law...the traditions and observances of the ordinances and statutes which which some Jews were boasting about.

Actually Paul said:

Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

We are not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Christ. Having been saved by grace through faith, good works will result. Giving a cup of water to someone is a good work. Helping your family by doing the dishes or laundry is a good work. When we give to the poor or help someone in need, that is a good work. Growth in character, producing fruit are good works. Fruit is not just winning souls, it is having the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance)abundant in our life, etc. The more we obey God, the greater works he can do through us.

 

[Awoon]

Actually Paul said:

Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

We are not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Christ. Having been saved by grace through faith, good works will result. Giving a cup of water to someone is a good work. Helping your family by doing the dishes or laundry is a good work. When we give to the poor or help someone in need, that is a good work. Growth in character, producing fruit are good works. Fruit is not just winning souls, it is having the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance)abundant in our life, etc. The more we obey God, the greater works he can do through us.

Non Christians do plenty of good works without caring if there is a God, Christ or beliefs in Human Sacrifices on crosses.

 

[e.r.m.]

Actually Paul said:

Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

We are not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Christ. Having been saved by grace through faith, good works will result. Giving a cup of water to someone is a good work. Helping your family by doing the dishes or laundry is a good work. When we give to the poor or help someone in need, that is a good work. Growth in character, producing fruit are good works. Fruit is not just winning souls, it is having the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance)abundant in our life, etc. The more we obey God, the greater works he can do through us.

Thank you for your response. Then are you saying that Ephesians 2:8-9 refers specifically to the works of the old law?

 

[javajo]

Non Christians do plenty of good works without caring if there is a God, Christ or beliefs in Human Sacrifices on crosses.

That's true. I don't believe those works lead to salvation unless they believe in God and revere him and actually live righteously:

22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

This man respected God and did what was right, he gave to the poor, was just and he prayed to God, and was accepted of God. Then he was given the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.