Will we be judged according to works?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ in order to receive what is due from our works, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of God, we persuade others. What we are is known to God, and I hope it is also known to your consciences.

Paul is speaking of the temporary state the Christian finds themself in – yearning to be “further clothed” but still in this “tent” in which we “groan” to be with Him (vss 1-4).

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Why do you judge your brother and look at him with disdain? Because we will all stand before the God in judgment, just as God spoke through Isaiah, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess God.” Since we all will give account to God, let’s not pass judgment on each other any longer, putting obstacles in the way of a brother in Christ.

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome and a section dealing with disagreements on matters of opinion with those “weak in faith” (vs 1). He illustrates with things that can be eaten (vs 2) and days that might be celebrated (vs 5). His point is, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Not everyone who appeals to me will enter the kingdom of heaven; only the one that obeys my Father’s will. On that [judgment] day, many will claim they did good works in my name, but I will denounce them saying, “I never knew you. Go away from me, lawbreakers!”

Jesus’ conclusion of his sermon on the mount (chapters 5-7). He goes on to give the illustration of the wise man – the one that does the things he hears from Jesus – versus the foolish man – the one that hears but does nothing.

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

He [God] will judge all accordingly: eternal life for those that patiently do good and seek those things above, and wrath and fury for those that selfishly disobey God’s word. Anyone that practices evil will encounter tribulation and distress, but for anyone doing good glory, honor, and peace. God judges all impartially since God doesn’t show favoritism.

Paul’s opening to his letter to Christians in Rome (primarily Gentiles) where he is spending time describing different types of unrighteous individuals and their eventual judgment by God for their deeds of unrighteousness.

One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Anyone taught the word must share all good things to the teacher as well. Let nobody be fooled, because God certainly won’t be. A person will receive just as he puts out. If he does carnal deeds, he will receive back corruption, but if he does deeds according to the Spirit, he will receive eternal life from the Spirit.

Throughout the letter, Paul has been encouraging Christians in the churches of Galatia to resist false teachers and remain faithful to their calling in Christ Jesus. As he closes, he is imploring them to work together and help each other spiritually (vs 1), pointing out they all are subject to temptation (vs 1) and should not be arrogant in their spirituality (5:26).

The call not to grow weary in doing good follows in verse 9.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

It’s worthless for someone to say they believe but then don’t obey. Faith can’t save by itself. We understand that someone lacking clothing or food isn’t cared for by simply telling them to “be warmed and filled.” We must give them the things they need. Likewise, belief without obedience is dead.

James, the brother of Jesus, is writing a very practical letter to Christians of the “dispersion” (dispersed) when encountering trials and the testing of their faith. He goes on to point out that even demons believed, calling those “foolish” that would consider themselves saved with “faith only”.

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

Alexander the coppersmith harmed me [Paul] greatly. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

The closing comments of Paul’s second letter to the young evangelist Timothy.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Whatever you are doing do with enthusiasm to please the Lord instead of people, since He will give you your inheritance for a reward. Serve Jesus Christ. For anyone doing wrong will be repaid accordingly without exception.

Paul is encouraging the Colossians to “keep seeking the things above” (vs 1) and imploring them to “put off” (vs 8) the sins of the world. He continues to give specific “in the Lord” behavioral instructions for wives (vs 18), husbands (vs 19), children (vs 20), fathers (vs 21), and slaves (vs 22).

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

I ( Jesus) tell you that on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Jesus is in the midst of his public ministry. He is teaching harder sayings and the division between those that accept him and those that don’t is becoming more stark. In the immediate context he is illustrating this truth about the final judgment with a tree that either produces good fruit or bad.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

It’s no surprise that Satan’s servants masquerade as God’s servants, since Satan himself pretends to be an angel of light. In the end, they will all be judged by their deeds.

In his second letter to the young church in Corinth, Paul must defend his apostleship against what he calls “super-apostles” – false teachers discrediting the gospel message and Paul’s authority.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

You already know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom. Don’t be deceived into thinking that they will! This includes anyone that is sexually immoral, worships anything other than God, commits adultery, practices homosexuality, steals, loves money, drinks excessively, reviles others, or takes advantage of others will not inherit God's kingdom.

Paul is addressing the brethren of Corinth that are relatively new to the faith. He is writing in response to several issues and challenges that have arisen in the congregation and reminds them that they have been “washed”, “sanctified” and “justified” in Jesus Christ (vs 11) and should act accordingly.

The Lord has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds.

God has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways and deeds.

God, through the prophet Hosea, is mostly preaching judgement to Israel (northern ten tribes) and their imminent destruction by Assyria. Here a broader statement is made to include Judah (southern two tribes) or all of Israel (e.g. “Jacob”).

Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

As a result, God sends a strong delusion in order that they will believe what is false and so be condemned from not believing truth but instead determined to sin.

Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica where he is warning them about coming destructive forces to the faithful. He encourages them to not listen to the false teaching that Christ has already come (vss 1-3). Rather, they must endure through lawlessness that is “already at work” (vs 7) and the “lawless one” that Satan empowers (vs 9) and Jesus “will kill by the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming” (vs 8).

Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

As a result, O King Agrippa, I (Paul) acted on the vision from heaven and preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and all Judea, and then finally to the Gentiles. I preached the gospel message: that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.

Paul has been arrested (21:33) upon his return to Jerusalem after his third missionary journey. He is giving his defense to King Agrippa and recounting his conversion story after appealing to Caesar as a Roman citizen, before being taken to Rome.

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

If you call on God as your Father who impartially judges each person according to his/her works, make sure to behave with fear (e.g. obedience) throughout your sojourn on earth. Remember you were set free from the futile ways passed down from your forefathers, bought not with perishable, material things but with the precious blood of Jesus, who like an innocent lamb was sacrificed.

Peter is writing to Christians in difficult times, reminding them to continue in their faith in Jesus. He says they should be “as obedient children” (vs 14) and be prepared for “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (vs 13).

I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.

I am the Lord God that searches the heart and tests the mind in order to reward each according to their ways and deeds, whether good or bad.

In a broader condemnation of the sins of Judah, God (through Jeremiah) begins a comparison of a “cursed” man (vss 5-6) and a “blessed” man (vss 7-8). Verse 5 really begins the thought specifically regarding the heart, namely describing the cursed man as one that trusts in man. Conversely, the blessed man is one that trusts the Lord.

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

They [the rich] are to be rich in good deeds, being generous and ready to share their wealth. As a result, they will build for themselves a good foundation for the future enabling them to secure eternal life.

Paul’s instructions to Timothy, a young preacher currently in Ephesus, on what to advise the rich in “this present age” (vs 17).

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

God will judge every deed, even those done in secret, whether good or bad.

A book of wisdom from “the Preacher” (many believe to be Solomon). The very wise and wealthy “Preacher”, having done all things “under the sun”, shares his treatise on life and worldly pursuits – it is all vanity.

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

The Son of Man [Jesus] will come with His angels in the glory of God the Father, and then He will judge according to the works of each person.

Near the end of Jesus’ public ministry and six days before (17:1) the transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James, and John. Jesus is preparing them for His coming death. There are parallel accounts in Mark 8:31-9:1 and Luke 9:22-27, but neither records this specific statement by Jesus.

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

God has made it clear that power and enduring love belong to Him, and that He will judge man according to his deeds.

A psalm of David about the salvation that only comes from God. The statement, “render to a man according to his work” is repeated by Paul in Romans 2:6.

When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not just. O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.

When a righteous person turns and practices unrighteousness, he will die because of it. Likewise will the wicked person live if he turns from his wicked ways and practices righteousness. But you say that God is not just, but I say that I will judge each of according to what he does.

God is speaking to the people of Judah through the prophet Ezekiel. They were under the impression that God was not just (vs 17).

In that day they will come to you, from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt to the River, from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. But the earth will be desolatebecause of its inhabitants, for the fruit of their deeds.

In that day, people will come (to God/Zion) from all over the ends of the earth, while the earth is desolate because of its inhabitants' wicked deeds.

The prophet Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah who spoke God’s words to Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz (exceedingly wicked), and Hezekiah (one of the best). God’s entire message through Micah, directed originally to Judah but applying to all mankind, is that God will come in judgment and many will be destroyed. But, there will be some that wait on Him – both Jew and Gentile (e.g. “nations”) – that will be saved.

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and they were all judged according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire – the second death. Anyone whose name wasn’t written in the book of life was thrown there.

The book of Revelation is what John saw and was told to write down (1:1-2). Using “in the Spirit” as a structural marker, the book can be sectioned into four visions in particular:

• Vision One (1:9-3:22) – Jesus speaking to the seven churches
• Vision Two (4:1-16:21) – Seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls of wrath; “one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls” introduces the last two (and therefore possibly connected):
  • Vision Three (17:1-21:8) – Babylon the Harlot
  • Vision Four (21:9-22:5) – Jerusalem the Bride

In chapter 17, we begin to see judgment for “the prostitute” and the city “Babylon the great” and the “marriage supper of the Lamb” in heaven. In chapter 20, several images or statements are presented that occur only in this chapter of Revelation (listed below). The clear and final defeat of Satan in 20 follows with the ultimate and glorious victory of God in 21 and final warnings and a call to return in 22. The exclusive terms and concepts of Revelation chapter 20:

• the “thousand years” of Satan chained (vss 2-3, 7) and saints reigning with Christ (vss 4-6),
• the “first resurrection” (vss 5-6),
• the “second death” (vs 6, 14),
• the “great white throne” (v 11)