The Biblical definition of works

[The Biblicist]

Ec 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Ro 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:



First, all three texts above refer to final judgement.

Second, the words "works" and "deeds" are used synonymously

Third, "every work" is brought into judgment and "every work" falls under only two possible classifications "good/righteous" or "evil/bad."

Fourth, "every work...deeds" are those things "done in his body" that is either regarded "good" or "evil."

CONCLUSION: Works are deeds and work/deeds consist of whatever is "done in his body" that fall under one of two possible classifications "good" or "evil". However, justification before God consists only of what "works...deeds" are done IN CHRIST'S BODY "for us" - 2 Cor. 5:21.


Furthermore, "EVERY WORK" in regard to originating in man originates from only one of two possible natures (1) the works of the flesh; (2) the fruit of the spirit.

Furthermore, "EVERY WORK" in regard to ULTIMATE origin originates either from the good Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25) or from "evil spirits" (1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Jn. 4:6).

Hence, "works" is ANYTHING YOU DO IN YOUR BODY beginning with "evil imaginations" (Mt. 15:17) manifested in evil works which include, false doctrines (heresies - Gal. 5:20)

Moreover, the conscience does the same "work" (Rom. 2:15) as the law of God in providing the knowledge of "good" and "evil" by "excusing" for what is good and "accusing" for what is evil:

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another - Rom. 2:15

The Law of God is simply the most comprehensive WRITTEN standard of righteousness given to man and all other lesser standards are "bearing witness" with that Law (Rom. 2;15) but the ultimate standard of God's Law is THE LIFE OF CHRIST - Rom. 3:21

Rom. 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Paul explicitly says that the "righteousness of God" is manifested in the Law of God, but now it is manifested without the Law or outside the law and that external manifestion is "witnessed by the law and the prophets" or the righteoosness manifested IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST received by faith.

CONCLUSION: Works are those things "done in his body" and "every work" falls under only TWO possible classifications (1) good/righteous or (2) evil/bad. All works have either two possible spiritual sources (1) Spirit of truth/fruit of the Spirit or (2) spirit of error/evil spirits; All works performed in the body of humans originate either from (1) the flesh or (2) the spirit.

 

[Van]

2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

Questions to consider in seeking to understand this verse:

1) Who is this verse speaking about, born anew believers in the body of Christ, or all people, saved and unsaved? The letter (2 Corinthians) is addressed to all the "saints" thus those set apart in Christ. So the judgement seat may not refer to the great white throne judgement, but the judgment seat where believers are rewarded or not for ministry efforts of eternal value. Thus one meaning of works, is that it refers to the good words of born anew believers, after salvation, rather than pre-salvation works which are as filthy rags.

2) The word translated "recompensed" is also translated as "repaid" or paid back. This would be consistent with receiving rewards earned as a faithful servant entering heaven abundantly.

3) "In the body" seems to refer to in the body of Christ, i.e. ministry, rather than thoughts or deeds done by fleshly people.

4) If we have engaged in ineffective ministry, thus earning no rewards, we still enter heaven, but as one escaping from a fire.​

 

[The Biblicist]

2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

Questions to consider in seeking to understand this verse:

1) Who is this verse speaking about, born anew believers in the body of Christ, or all people, saved and unsaved? The letter (2 Corinthians) is addressed to all the "saints" thus those set apart in Christ. So the judgement seat may not refer to the great white throne judgement, but the judgment seat where believers are rewarded or not for ministry efforts of eternal value. Thus one meaning of works, is that it refers to the good words of born anew believers, after salvation, rather than pre-salvation works which are as filthy rags.​

I agree that it is not the Great White judgement seat but the "bema" seat for believers. However, the term "body" does not refer to the church but to the individual as the pronoun "he" in the very next phrase qualifies it as a singular human physical body wherein both "good" and "bad" things had been done. Indeed, it is impossible to judge things done outside a person's body even for rewards as they did not exist or do things outside of their own physical body they could be rewarded for or not be rewarded for.

Moreover, the righteousness of God is still the standard manifested "now without the law" meaning it was manifested by the law as well. But "now" in the person or life of Christ (Rom. 3:21-22). Hence, the same standard of righteousness ("God's righteousness") is the standard revealed in the Law and revealed in the person of Christ (Rom. 3:21-22) and thus is the SAME STANDARD used in both judgements. It is also the same standard that is also revealed in the heart (Rom. 2:14-15) which the conscience does the very same "work of the law" in distinguishing right versus wrong.

Nevertheless, both at the Great White Judgement seat and the Bema seat the standard of righteousness remains the same ("God's righteousness") and the resurrection precedes BOTH and thus BOTH judge what INDIVIDUALS did while in their physical body.

Moreover, to the broader part of my argument in both final judgements there are only two possible kinds of works - "good" or "evil" and the words "works" and "deeds" are used synonymously within that dual framework.​