_|_ | C O P | N E T "Works" in Paul's Writing A Sunday School Lesson College Level Azer Bestavros Saint Paul uses the term "works" extensively in his letters, and we encounter his use of the word especially in Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. By this term, he means human activities which he generally classifies in four categories: (1) Evil Works: -------------- These are works such as murder, adultery, idol worship, and robbery. In the scriptures, these are aslo called works of the flesh: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." [Galatians 5:19]. (2) Dead Works: -------------- These works are done for earthly rewards: These are works---even good works---done for the wrong reasons. These are works which are good in themselves, such as fasting, giving money, and feeding the poor, but which are done to call attention to oneself or to gain standing in the community. Selfish motivation turns good works to dead works. Jesus Christ himself talks about these kinds of dead works, when he condemns those who "do charitable deed before men, to be seen by them" for they "have no reward from your Father in heaven" [Matthew 6:1], or when he condemns those "hypocrites, [who] love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men" for they have already received "their reward" [Matthew 6:5], or when he condemns those "hypocrites, with a sad countenance, [who] disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to be fasting" for they have received "their reward" [Matthew 6:16]. (3) Mundane Works: ----------------- As responsible human beings, Christians have to work to earn a living. Saint Paul commanded his congregations to work for "if any would not work, neither should [s]he eat." [2 Thessalonians 3:10]. This responsibility extends to members of ones' own family. Saint Paul compares those who do not provide for their families as worse than infidels: "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." [1 Timothy 5:8]. Saint Paul complements his instructions by warning us from becoming too much slaves to our mundane work. He warns us against the love of money: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." [1 Timothy 6:10]. Thus, Saint Paul teaches us to be content and to realize that mundane work is only for the necessities: "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." [1 Timothy 6:8]. In addition to working for a living, Christians are instructed to be good citizens and perform their civil and social duties: "Let every soul be subject to the government authorities [...], not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake" [Romans 13:1,5]. (4) Living works: ---------------- These are deeds which are both good in themselves and done for a good purpose: to glorify God. The scriptures commend good living works. Saint Paul teaches that living works are an outgrowth of our salvation when he writes: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:10]. These works contribute to our faith, as Saint James teaches: "You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." [James 2:24]. When we do living works, we seek to bring glory to God, not to ourselves, through what we do, and we rely upon the strength and the grace of God. Paul and the Question of Faith vs Deeds --------------------------------------- Some erroneously understand Paul, particularly in Romans 4, to be putting down the value of all works with regard to salvation. A careful reading of Romans, however, reveals that Saint Paul is not saying that good works are not necessary for salvation, but that he is saying that good works are not sufficient by themselves. In other words, if we have no faith then no matter how good our "work" is, we cannot be saved. This does not imply that if we have faith but no good works that we will be saved. Good work is the fruit of faith; it comes naturally. Speaking of faith alone is like speaking of the fig tree that bore no fruit [Matthew 21:19]. Christ says: "Therefore I say unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." [Matthew 21:43]. Faith and works are thus two sides of the same coin; one follows from the other. They are both necessary but not sufficient. In the words of C.S. Lewis, asking which one is enough is "like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary." Christian definition of good deeds ---------------------------------- Many human activities, good in themselves, are not good because of the motive for which they are done. For example, fasting, vigils, prayer, psalmody, acts of charity and hospitality are by nature good. But when performed for the sake of self-esteem [vainglory, self-glorification] they are not good. In everything we do, God searches out our purpose to see whether we do it for Him of for some other motive. Quite clearly, He bestows blessings only when something is done for the right purpose. For God's judgment looks not at the actions, but at the purpose behind them. Thus, a Christian actively cultivates a habit of doing good works for the glory of God, and as a way of life. The writings of Saint Paul are clear. If we are joined to Christ and cleansed from the dishonor of the past, we become tools in the hands of God, which He uses to bring goodness to His creation. "If a man therefore purge himself from [sins], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." [2 Timothy 2:21]. God sets us apart to Himself so we will be productive and useful to Him. This is an indivisible part of our faith. And what better way to conclude than to quote Saint Paul: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." [1 Corinthians 15:58]. Questions to start off discussion --------------------------------- Q: Sometimes we get earthly rewards for our good deeds. Does this make these deeds worthless for our spirituality and salvation? A: The bottom line is our own purpose for doing the good deeds. Good deeds should naturally come out of our life. In other words, we shouldn't be worrying about it in the first place! We should pray and be ready so that God will use us according to His good purpose. We should not feel that it is our "duty" or that we are "required" to do good deeds. Q: Paul speaks of mundane works. How do we define the "necessities"? Q: According to St Paul, living works follow from faith. Could faith also follow from good works? Could the unfaithful discover God through good works? Q: How does God look at good works done by the unfaithful? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _|_ This article is one of many more articles about the Coptic Orthodox | Church, the Christian Apostolic Church of Egypt. These articles can be | retrieved from Copt-Net archives at http://pharos.bu.edu/cn/Menu.html COP|NET For more information, contact Copt-Net server at CN-request@cs.bu.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------