“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"”
— Isaiah 52:7· Isaiah
What Does the Bible Say About Good Works?
The Bible addresses good works across both Old and New Testaments. These verses are organized by biblical era — from the patriarchs to the apostles — letting Scripture speak for itself.
24 verses·5 eras·9 promises
Exile (~586 BC)
“The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound;”
Life of Jesus (~30 AD)
“"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."”
“"But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
— Luke 6:27· Jesus
“"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,”
“"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."”
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
— John 10:11· Jesus
“He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.”
— Mark 16:15· Jesus
“The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.”
“Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.”
Early Church (~50 AD)
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7· Paul
“See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.”
“We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
“not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”
— Titus 3:5· Paul
patriarchs
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
— Genesis 50:20· Joseph
“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die."”
— Genesis 2:17· God
United Kingdom (~1000 BC)
“Let the glory of Yahweh endure forever. Let Yahweh rejoice in his works.”
“Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
— Psalms 34:8· David
“Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh's house forever. A Psalm by David.”
— Psalms 23:6· David
“I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.”
“Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
— Psalms 118:1· David
“Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
— Psalms 107:1· anonymous
“For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.”
— Psalms 84:11· Sons of Korah
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