WHY IS BELIEVING CALLED A "WORK"

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

on "Works"

Question: WHY DID JESUS CALL "BELIEVING" A "WORK"?

  Question #2. Can we look for God's grace? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amazing Grace
  Question #3. Is not our salvation a "gift" from God? . . . . . . . . . . . Salvation as a gift
  Question #4. Should we be dogmatic about the definition of God's grace? . "Consequences of false definitions"
  Question #5. What really is the true definition of "grace"? . . . . . . . . . Meaning of Grace
  Question #6. How is "grace" used in the Bible? . . . . . . . . . . . . Facts of Bible 'Grace'
  Question #7. Should we identify Jesus as a child as our example and model? Sweeter as the Years Go By
  Question #8. Will we be judged by our works or will grace be sufficient? Works and the Judgment (pdf)
  Question #9. Compare Ephesians 2:8 works and Colossians 1:20-23. Works in parallel contexts of Ephesians 2:8 and Colossians 1:20ff.

For more information on "grace" and "works", the author's book Grace: A Free Ride to Heaven? is available from Amazon.com in the books section under "Gaylon West".

WHY DID JESUS CALL "BELIEVING" A WORK?

John 6:29 "Jesusansweredand said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

My answer deals with a religious controversy in Christendom that is produced by an abuse of words that have traditional connotations that interfere with proper communication on this Bible subject. Hence, an appeal to an accepted standard is asked of the reader for original Greek words and English words. Assumption is made that God communicates to us in "human" languages. Therefore, Strong's and Thayer's dictionaries of Greek words are given; for English, such standards as Merriam Webster is used. For those of us that wish to "speak the same thing" (1 Cor. 1:10) in unity this approach should be helpful. For if we cannot agree on definition of terms we cannot agree period.

For those with an aversion to Greek words, I have substituted Strong's numbers; e.g., when the word "work" is referenced and in Greek it is ergon the superscript will be G2041. This Greek word will be known thereafter as G2041.
List of Greek words and their numerical designations used herein:
work G2040
work G2041 (noun)
work G2038 (verb)
work G2039
work out G2716 (verb)
do G4160
do G4238
faith G4102

2 Timothy 1:13 "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." -NKJV

The author is aware that just as in English, the connotation of Greek words would be affected by its context. So it is urged when in doubt, the reader is urged to look the passage up and read the context.

It is the burden of my answer to show that "work" and "do" were common words of speech in referring to any response of one's body or mind in the Greek-Roman world. The type of "doing", whether good or bad, would have to be indicated by the context of the speaker.

WHY IS BELIEVING CALLED A "WORK"?

First, examples of the use of the word "work" in the New Testament

John 6:29 Jesus answeredand said unto them, This is the work^G2041 of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

SKIP DEFINITIONS AND GO TO CONCLUSION

WHAT FOLLOWS THOSE THAT DIE?

Revelation 14:13 their works^G2041

HOW WILL GOD JUDGE THE DEAD?

Revelation 20:12 according^G2596 to their works.^G2041

^Revelation^{22: 12}^{"Behold, I
come quickly; and my reward is with me, To give to
each man what his actions merit." (}^Montgomery^{'s New Testament)}

^{WHAT IS ANOTHER
WORD/S FOR "THEIR WORKS" in the above passage?}

^Revelation^{22: 12}^{"Behold, I
come quickly; and my reward is with me, To give to
each man what}^{his actions merit"}⁽^Montgomery^{'s New
Testament).}

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE BIBLE TERM "WORKS"?

What is the meaning of Bible "works"? Is it deeds that one does to help others as in "charity"? Is it like a job? Is it obeying rules such as in "law"'; e.g., the "Ten Commandments" or "civil law"? Are there more than one Greek word that's translated "work"? If so, what is the difference between them?

DESCRIPTION OF SOME BIBLE USES OF THE WORD "WORKS":

Matthew 5:16 your good works,^G2041[i]

Matthew 7:23 depart from me, ye that work^G2038 iniquity.

Matthew 23:5 their works^G2041

Mark 13:34 " his (servant's) work,^G2041 [ii]

Joh 4:34 His work. ^{G2041 [iii]}

Joh 6:28 the works^G2041 of God? [iv]

Joh 6:29 work^G2041 of God, [v]

Joh 9:3 works^G2041 of God[vi]

Joh 9:4 the works^G2041 of Him who sent me [vii]

John 10:33 a good work^G2041 [viii]

John 17:4 the work^G2041 whichThou gavest me to do.^G4160[ix]

Romans 2:15 Which shew the work^G2041 of the law

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work^G2041 of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 6:4 his own work,^G2041 [x]

Philippians 1:6 a good work^G2041[xi]

Philippians 2:12 work out^G2716^{(FROM G2038)}your own salvation[xii]

Philippians 2:30 work^G2041 of Christ[xiii]

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work^G2041 of faith,^G4102

2 Timothy 4:18 And theLord shall deliver me from every evil work,^G2041

These samples show us that there are good works, evil works, works of the Law (of Moses), works assigned, work of the Lord, work of Christ, work of faith...

GOOD WORKS in fifties controversy

I witnessed a controversy over "good works and church treasuries" among churches who wanted to identify what God truly wanted churches to do. I remember being interested in learning that there are two different words translated "good" in the New Testament (kalos and agathos).

A Greek scholar in Texas in 1961 gave his professional opinion to D. Ellis Walker about the differences between the two Greek words for "good". While the word kalos ("beautiful good") was the more broader of the two in application, it included the more restricted agathos ("beneficial and useful"; i.e., intrinsic good [e.g., alms]). However both terms are used in describing the widow indeed (1 Timothy 5:10).

That difference is significant in such passages as Matthew 5:16 "letting others see your light"; i.e., "good [kalos] works." This is not just the giving of alms "good" but the practice of "beautiful" good in all areas of behavior. I found a correlation between Matthew 5:16 and the behavior fruits and works of Ephesians 4 and 5.***

My question for us is 'what about the word "works"'? I don't remember anyone ever explaining "works [during the mentioned controversy]. They talked about contributing to the Lord's work and that apparently was sufficient at the time since some thought of that as the giving of alms to the church (including the preacher).

But since there are "beautiful" works and "beneficial" works, what does the word "works" mean?

The Bible translates "work" mainly from derivatives from one word: identified here as Strong's G2041 ἔργον.

The English word "work/s"** is translated from these identified Greek words: G2041 ἔργον; G2038 ἐργάζομαι derived "from G2041"; G2716 κατεργάζομαι "from G2038"; G2040 ἐργάτης "from G2041"; G2039 ἐργασία "from G2040". **** It is readily seen that these words are derivatives of one word - G2041.

G2041 is a noun (name of something). G2038 is a "middle voice" verb (action word) of the noun G 2040 ἔργον which is based on the noun G2041.

DEFINITIONOF THE NOUN G2041 'WORKS'

Greek G2041 STRONG'S

ἔργον ergon From ἔργω ergō (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.

THAYER'S:

1) business, employment, that which any one is occupied

1a) that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking

2) any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind

3) an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work

The word from which "works" come from means basically an act, whether it be a deed, labour, business, employment, undertaking. In other words, is it not what a person is doing or has done?

TO DO AND TO WORK

Please observe that Jesus uses this word "work" G2041 in connection with the verb "do": "the work^G2041 which Thou gavest me to do^G4160"(John 17:4 ). (do=work)

^{The word that's translated "do" G4160 is related
if not INTERCHANGEABLE OR equivalent to the
verb "work" G2041.}

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do,^G4160 that we might work^G2038 the works^G2041 of God? (Do=work=works)

Colossians 3:23 And^G2532 whatsoever ye do,^G4160 do^G2038 it heartily, as to the^G3588 Lord, and not unto men; [both G4160 and G2038 [work] are translated "DO" by the translators.

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do^G2038 good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. [do=work]

Hebrews 13:21 ...make you perfect in every good work^G2041 to do^G4160 his will, working^G4160 in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. [work=do=working in this translations]

^{WHAT CRITERIA DIVIDES THE SHEEP
FROM THE GOATS?}

Mat 25:32 "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:"

....

Mat 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^G4160 it unto me.^G1698

[Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Why are the goats lost? Is it not because they did not "do" something. Why are the sheep rewarded? Is it not because they do something?]

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA in the resurrection?

John 5:29 And shall come forth;they that have done^G4160 good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done^G4238 evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

NOTICE THE relationship of the G4160 word ("do") to two other action words like "walk" and "lying" in the following verse:

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do^G4160do not the truth:

DEFINITIONS OF THE G4160 'DONE'

G4160 STRONG'S ποιέω

Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct): - abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do (-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare G4238.

Vine's Dictionary identifies the following English words that G4160 is translated as: ABIDE, APPOINT, BEAR, BRING, CAUSE, COMMIT, CONTINUE, DEAL, EXECUTE, EXERCISE, FULFILL, GAIN, GIVE, HOLD, KEEP, MAKE, MEAN, OBSERVE, ORDAIN, PERFORM, PROVIDE, PURPOSE, PUT, SHOW, SHOOT FORTH, SPEND, TAKE, TARRY, WORK, YIELD.

"do": G4160 can refer to workmanship or verb single act of "do":

Strong's & Thayer's: to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

"do": G4238 refers to performing continuously (so contrasts with 4160). πράσσω to “practise”, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160.

EXAMPLES OF G4160 AND G4238

Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do^G4160 not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.^G4238

John 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.

Mat 23:5 But all their works^G2041 they do^G4160 do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

their works= they do

Mat 5:44 do^G4160 good to them that hate you,

Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do^G4160 and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do^G4160 to you, do^G4160ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do^G4160, that I may have eternal life?

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do^G4160?

Acts 9:6 it shall be told thee what thou must do.^G4160

Acts 10:6 shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.^G4160

Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do⁴¹⁶⁰ to be saved?

Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and and do^{G4238[continuously]} works^G2041 meet for repentance.

Rom 1:28 to do^G4160 those things which are not convenient

Romans 2:3 do^G4238 such things, and doest^G4160 the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do^G4160 by nature

Rom 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported,... Let us do^G4160 evil, that good may come?

How does one sin?

By what he does...

1Co 7:36 let him do^G4160 what he will, [marry] he sinneth not: let them marry.

Php 2:14 Do^G4160 all things without murmurings and disputings:

Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:^G4238^{[continuously]} and the God of peace shall be with you.

1 Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do^G4160those things that are pleasing in his sight. Note: now what does grace mean? Is this undeserved favor?

SO WHY DID JESUS CALL BELIEVING A WORK?

My answer based on legitimate definitions:

If what one does is referred to as work, then believing must be doing something.

On Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

I have heard time and time again that since "grace is a gift", one has to take the gift in order to receive it. And since taking is not a work, then it's sensible to see that receiving God's gospel is not a work but a "taking" the gift. A preacher once offered a $5.00 (bill) from the pulpit as a gift. If a member goes to the front and takes it, the gift is his. A member went forward and kept the $5.00. That's how to get around grace not being "worked for". But would not the Bible definition of work be violated here because if what we do is work, then "taking" is certainly a doing too; hence, work. Faith is a work.

Since one is saved by faith (as well as grace), and faith is a work, then what does this "not of works" mean?

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Look at the previous verse: "not of yourselves". What kind of works would a man be able to boast of? Abraham could not boast of his works (Romans 4:1). We have seen the many, many different works referred to in the Bible. But the same word or equivalent is used. The context has to identify the works (the doing; the action).

Look at the next verse:

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,^G2041 which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

If the "faith" of verse 8 is the means of creating us, then we are God's product (His workmanship); Paul identifies the faith as from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). A work of faith not the work of man. In other words, isn't the Spirit speaking of the source of the action and not simply all actions. "Not of yourselves." "Of" is from the Greek G1537 "ex" [we use this in many of our English words]. Strong's G1537 means "A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out". Is this not what we have concluded? It had to be the source (works not from man but from God) and it is in the Greek!
I believe this passage (Ephesians 2:8) is correctly translated in the NIV: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" (emphasis is mine).

Jesus said that believing in Jesus was a work of God. It is the faith once delivered (Jude 3) and revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16, 17 "for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith").

Wherein can it be categorized as a gift then? "It is the gift of God." Someone insists that we don't deserve God's love, grace, faith, gospel, salvation, etc. This is indisputable. But why take what is truth and force it into the definition of God's personality. The lack of man deserving God's compassion has nothing to do with the definition of God's grace any more than does with His wrath and vengeance nor even with His work of faith. To do so is to confuse the message of God's grace.

Indeed, due to our lost condition God is not required to save anybody. He told our father Adam, do this (disobey me) and you will die. That would have been the end of it except for God's plan. God was obligated to keep His Word: for death is the wage of sin. But God's plan included a surprise gift as it were, a "second chance" offered to all of mankind (not just Adam). A surprise gift indeed for even the angels were anxious for it to be revealed (1 Peter 1:12 "things which angels desire to look into). The devil was even taken by surprise! "For if they had known it they would not have crucified the Lord."

God is not required nor obligated to provide this package of faith (includes Jesus' total atoning plan of salvation)! That's why it is called a "gift". This word "gift" is translated "without cause" in the condemnation of Jesus by his critics: "But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause'" (John 15:25). This word translated "gift" is "gratuity". We use it when we leave a tip for a good service or just because we want to. It is not required (generally) or nor are we obligated (to the financial hurt sometimes of the waitresses). But "gratuity" or "gift" does not rule out work in the work place or here.

The package is a package of work. The work of faith. God's work. God's grace (favor and pleasure) is located therein! ("By grace are you saved through (the) faith") Through (preposition denoting the channel of an act). The channel is "the^G3588 faith" [the same in the original in Ephesians 2:8 as is Jude 3 "contend for the^G3588 faith which was once delivered unto the^G3588 saints."

WHAT ABOUT SUCH PASSAGES AS THIS THAT EXCLUDE WORKS FROM GRACE?

Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh^G2038 is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

2 Peter 3:16 "As also in all his (Paul's) epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. "

Now if Peter is correct, and I believe that since he is the apostle of Jesus and His spokesman just like Paul, then we must use care and not wrest this passage to our destruction. We have to decide what work Paul is referrring to that is outside the realm of grace.

If we determine that this passage cannot contradict nor negate the rest of the Bible (as well as Paul's writings) then we must accept the fact that the works that exclude grace are the works under consideration.

Don't forget that the items under consideration are mutually exclusive: grace--works. In Ephesians, the works that are excluded from grace are those that man can boast of. What he habitually does. Ephesians 2 says "(those men) were by nature [by habit during growth] the children of wrath, even as others." This is a logical interpretation of the context of Romans 4. Look at verse 1: the subject is Abraham receiving God's grace. When was God pleased with Abraham? verse 1 & 2- Abraham found no way to boast justification according to the flesh [i.e., man's works, his]. But he believed. Remember that Jesus said that "believing" is a work [to do from God]. Abraham did something that produced the favor of God: he believed His promise.

Do you believe God's promises to the one who believes the gospel, repents of his sins, confesses his faith in Jesus as God's Son, and is baptized in water by the command of the Lord Jesus must be honored?

2 Peter 1: 4 "by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature". Has God not obligated Himself to save the "obedient" believer. Do you believe that God created His people to do good works? Then by walking in newness of life, will you not be saved by the grace of God. You have that assurance! God is faithful and will keep His promise to reward you.

What about the one who goes back to "wallowing in the mire" repossessing the old man of sin? 2 Peter 2:22 'But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."' These "works" negate God's grace (favor) and nullify His promises.

Why did Jesus say that believing was a work?

Because when one believes God, he does what God wants. Again, he does. Hence, he works the right kind of work.

Please note that a common illustration of a preacher holding up a dollar as a gift to anyone that would come forward to receive it, is ludicrous, to say the least. The illustration is proposing a person "do something" for the gift. This is supposed to answer those that say (including the speaker) "We cannot do anything to save ourselves." Walking up to get money in our day and time is definitely "doing something." And "believing" is surely "doing something." It is a work of God for us to do. The illustration of the gift of a dollar is reasonable only if it is conceded that one can do something for his salvaton.

Jesus compares the kingdom to workers who get paid:

(Matthew 20:1-16) "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. "Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. "And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, "and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. "Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. "And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' "They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' "And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. "But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. "And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, "saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' "But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 'Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." (NKJV)

Parables tell truth. This parable is consistent with Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (NKJV)

John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
Revelation 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; (NKJV)

FOOTNOTES========================

***In Matthew 5:16 Jesus uses G2041: "Let your^G5216 light^G5457 so^G3779 shine^G2989 before^G1715 men,^G444 that^G3704 they may see^G1492 your^G5216 good^G2570 works,^G2041"

In Ephesians 5:8-11 Paul by the Spirit uses G2041 "works" in telling how these "children of light" are not to walk. They are no longer of "darkness" but "light", nor are they to have fellowship with unfruitful works^G2041 of darkness. Their walk is referred to as the fruit of the Spirit in "all goodness, and righteousness, and truth". That word "goodness" by the way is from G18 "agathos" "beneficial" good .

They are also to walk in "love" (v. 2) and to give "thanks" (v. 4). The "unfruitful" (opposite of the "fruit" of the Spirit) works are listed in verses 3-6. Going back in the context (chapter 4:22-32) children of light are put off the old man behavior and put on the new man by speaking truth, work G2041 with his hands that which is good (beneficial good, in order to give), good (beneficial; grace, edifying) communication, kindness, tenderhearted, and forgiving.