Lord’s Library editors offer a works righteousness meaning with key Bible verses and commentary for your edification.
Works righteousness is the belief that one can achieve righteousness before God through their own “religious works.” Religious works can mean also “good deeds” or adherence to ‘the law” – which refers to the Law of Moses. Scripture is clear that human works, no matter how “righteous they may seem”, are insufficient to justify one before God the Father. What the Bible teaches is that salvation is by grace through faith, in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and not by works, so that no one can boast, as it is written.
The Apostle Paul addresses this directly in Ephesians 2:8-9: “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.” These Gospel-centered Scriptures from Ephesians make it clear that salvation is purely a gift from God. Grace, by definition, is an unmerited favor. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it as “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner.”
Works Righteousness Meaning
In Romans 3:23-24, Paul explains: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Every person has fallen short of God’s standard of perfection, and therefore no one can achieve righteousness through even the most seemingly righteous of deeds. Justification—being declared righteous in God’s sight—is only possible through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for sin on the cross.
The doctrine of works righteousness sometimes stems from a misunderstanding of the role of the law. Paul clarifies in Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
The law was given to reveal human sinfulness and our inability to meet God’s standards. See Galatians 3:24-25: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Here we can see how it is through faith in Christ’s finished work on the Cross that one attains salvation, and not by adherence to the law of the Old Testament.
Works righteousness also stands in contrast to Abraham’s example. See Romans 4:2-3: “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Abraham was justified by faith, not by works. His belief in God’s promise, not his obedience or works, was the basis for his righteousness in the eyes of the Lord. Paul uses this example to show that faith, not works, has always been the way of salvation, even before the law was given.
Another important passage is found in Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This Gospel-centetered verse from Titus Cements that salvation is entirely an act of God’s mercy, confirming that one is saved by the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, which God graciously bestows upon those who believe on His Son.
A frequent question arises about the relationship between faith and works surrounding James 2:17, which says: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” This Scripture does not contradict salvation by grace through faith but rather underscores that true faith results in good works. The works are not the basis for salvation but the evidence of genuine faith.
Paul explains further in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Good works flow from the transformed life of a believer as a result of salvation, not as a prerequisite to earning it via good deeds.
Ultimately, the meaning of works righteousness is contrary to the message of the Gospel. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross is the only basis for salvation. Jesus even declared it in John 19:30: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
At that moment, the debt for sin was paid in full by Christ, and no human works can add to that sacrifice. Those who trust in their own righteousness are relying on a foundation that cannot save. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Remember, even our “best” works are insufficient. See Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” This verse drives home the point that, apart from Christ, even the most virtuous acts are tainted by sin and inadequate before a holy God.
Christ is the fulfillment of the law. Matthew 5:17 says: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” By trusting in Christ, believers receive the benefits of His perfect obedience to the law.
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