„Also lasst euer Licht leuchten vor den Leuten, dass sie eure guten Werke sehen und euren Vater im Himmel preisen.“
Matthäus 5,16

Bible verses about good works

You are saved by grace, not by good works – that is the heart of the Reformation. And yet the Bible often speaks of good works. How do these two things fit together? Here you will find 19 Bible verses about good works, faith, and deeds.

Created for good works

Good works as the fruit of faith.

  1. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.

    Matthew 5:16God as FatherConfirmation quotes

  2. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, prepared beforehand by God, that we should walk in them.

    Ephesians 2:8-10

  3. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all unrighteousness and cleanse us, making us His own people, zealous for good works.

    Titus 2:14Redeemer

  4. This is certainly true; such things I want you to teach, so that those who have believed in God may be found to be zealous for good works. Such things are good and profitable to men.

    Titus 3:8

  5. But God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you may abound in every good work.

    2 Corinthians 9:8GraceEquipping

  6. That you may walk worthy of the Lord in all things, and be fruitful in every good work.

    Colossians 1:10Bearing fruitGrowth

  7. That a man may be perfect, filled with the knowledge of God, and able to every good work.

    2 Timothy 3:17

  8. And let us consider one another, not so that we may condemn, but that we may have exhortation in love and good works.

    Hebrews 10:24

  9. And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, serving one another, and fulfilling the law of love. For if we speak and do not practice, we are liars, and our words are empty. But let us do good and help one another, for such good works are needful.

    1 Peter 2:12

  10. But let us do good and not grow weary; for in due season we shall reap without being weary. And when we have opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who are of the faith.

    Galatians 6:9-10

Faith and deeds

James on living faith.

  1. What does it profit, my beloved brethren, if someone says he has faith, and has not works? Can faith save him?

    James 2:14

  2. So also faith, if it has not works, is dead in itself.

    James 2:17Faith

  3. But someone will say, “You have faith,” and I will say, “You have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

    James 2:18

  4. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

    James 2:26

  5. My dear children, let us love not with words nor with the tongue, but in deed and in truth.

    1 John 3:18Love for neighborsTruth

  6. Not all who say, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.

    Matthew 7:21

  7. And the King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, that whoever has done these things to one of the least of these My brethren, has done them to Me.”

    Matthew 25:40ServingLove for neighbors

  8. Pure and undefiled worship before God the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself undefiled from the world.

    James 1:27OrphansWidows

  9. It is required of you, men, that you do good and practice piety, that you keep the word of God pure and humble yourselves before God.

    Micah 6:8HumilityConfirmation quotes

Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.

Related Topics

This goes well with it

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works” (Matthew 5:16) – the Let-Your-Light-Shine shirt features this verse.

Good Works and Grace

Paul is clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But he continues in the next verse: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are therefore not the way to God, but the result of it. They are the fruit of a life that has received grace – like a tree that bears fruit because it is alive.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

James puts a different emphasis: “So also faith, if it has not works, is dead in itself” (James 2:17). He is not contradicting Paul, but warning against a faith that consists only of words. If a brother has nothing to eat and you only say to him, “The Lord be with you; be warmed and filled,” what good is that to him? True faith shows itself in action. Jesus says it this way: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Learn more about Bible verses about faith, Bible verses about bearing fruit, and Bible verses about serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are You Saved by Good Works?

No. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, you are saved by grace through faith. Good works are the fruit of this faith (Ephesians 2:10).

What Does “So Also Faith, If It Has Not Works, Is Dead” Mean?

James 2:17.26 says that true faith shows itself in deeds. A faith that changes nothing is not a living faith.

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